Effectiveness of a Cell Phone-Based Program for Abstinence and HIV Risk Prevention

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: HIV Infections
• Interventions: Behavioral: HIV-related text messaging; Behavioral: Nutrition-related text messaging

• Registration Number: NCT00601237
• Lead Sponsor: University of Colorado, Denver

Brief Summary

This study will develop and test the effectiveness of a cell phone-based text messaging program to encourage abstinence, monogamy, or condom use among black urban males in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Detailed Description

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), including HIV infections, are most commonly spread through unprotected sexual intercourse. STDs are a primary health issue, especially among young ethnic minorities in the United States. The rate of STDs is significantly greater in urban areas where ethnic minorities, particularly African-American males, are commonly represented. Despite this information, safe sexual practices, including correct condom use, are not commonly followed among minority males. It is believed that educational outreach designed to motivate and inform on the correct use of condoms will be effective in encouraging safer sex practices. A cell phone-based text messaging program designed to promote safer sex practices may provide an effective and easy means of delivery of treatment. This study will develop and test the effectiveness of a cell phone-based text messaging program to sustain abstinence, monogamy, or condom use among black urban males in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Participation in this study will be divided into two phases. In the first study phase, participants will partake in a 90-minute focus group to help develop text message content and plans for treatment delivery. The next study phase will be a pilot test of the program developed in the first phase. Participants will be assigned to receive text messages concerning either HIV prevention or general nutrition. Participants receiving the HIV prevention text messages will be sent up to 90 text messages related to abstinence, monogamy, and condom use over a 3-month period. Participants will also be able to join interactive phone activities related to HIV. Participants receiving the nutritional text messages will be sent up to 30 messages about nutrition and healthy eating over the same period of time. Participants will complete telephone surveys at baseline and Months 3 and 6. The surveys will assess measures of abstinence, monogamy and condom use attitudes, norms, self-efficacy, and risk behaviors.

Study Timeline

• Study First Submitted: 2008-01-23
• Study First Submitted QC: 2008-01-25
• Study First Posted: 2008-01-28
• Study Start: 2008-10
• Primary Completion: 2013-05
• Study Completion: 2013-05
• Status Verified: 2015-04
• Last Update Submitted: 2015-04-01
• Last Update Posted: 2015-04-03

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: Male
• Target Recruitment: 103

Inclusion Criteria

• Resident of Philadelphia
• Self-identified black or African American
• English-speaking
• Cell phone user

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Exclusion Criteria

Not provided

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Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
A	HIV-related text messaging	Participants will receive HIV-related text messages
B	Nutrition-related text messaging	Participants will receive nutrition-related text messages

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Monogamy	Measured at baseline and Months 3 and 6
Condom use	Measured at baseline and Months 3 and 6
Abstinence	Measured at baseline and Months 3 and 6

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Attitudes, norms, self-efficacy, and intentions to remain abstinent, remain monogamous, or use condoms	Measured at baseline and Months 3 and 6

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Motivational Educational Entertainment (MEE) Productions; 🇺🇸 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States