Accepted for/Published in: JMIR Formative Research
Date Submitted: Jan 27, 2020
Date Accepted: Feb 29, 2020
Warning: This is an author submission that is not peer-reviewed or edited. Preprints - unless they show as "accepted" - should not be relied on to guide clinical practice or health-related behavior and should not be reported in news media as established information.
Acceptability and Usability of the MyPEEPs Mobile Sexual Health Application for Young Adult Men Who Have Sex with Men
ABSTRACT
Background:
HIV incidence among young adult men who have sex with men (MSM), particularly among Black and Latino men, continues to rise. As such, continued HIV prevention interventions for YMSM of color are of utmost importance. MyPEEPS Mobile is a comprehensive HIV prevention and sexual health education smartphone app initially created to promote sexual health and HIV prevention among very young sexual minority men, aged 13-18.
Objective:
The objective of this study was to critically appraise acceptability and usability of MyPEEPS Mobile, for young adult MSM, aged 19-25.
Methods:
Study participants used the mobile app, completed usability questionnaires and in-depth interviews and reported on their experience using the app. Analysis of interview data was guided by the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) to better understand the usability and acceptability of this intervention for young adults. Interview data was coded using the following constructs from the UTAUT model: performance expectancy, effort expectancy, and social influence.
Results:
Twenty young adult MSM (N =10 in Chicago, IL, N = 10 in New York, NY) were enrolled in the study. Participants reported that MyPEEPS Mobile was free of functional problems (Health-ITUES, PSSUQ scores consistent with high usability), easy to use and useful, with an engaging approach that increased acceptability, including the use of avatars and animation, and inclusive representation of the diverse identities by race/ethnicity, gender identity and sexual orientation. Major recommended areas for improving MyPEEPS Mobile for the target demographic included more adult oriented graphics, advanced educational content, and scenarios for youth with more sexual experience, and greater accessibility of key content.
Conclusions:
Overall, young adults MSM, aged 19-25 described the MyPEEPS Mobile as educational, informative, and usable for their sexual health education and HIV prevention needs, and provided actionable recommendations to optimize its use and applicability for this age group.
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