JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Black sexual minority men (BSMM) are disproportionately affected by HIV. Los Angeles County (LAC) carries a substantial burden of the HIV epidemic in California. Negative effects of both psychosocial and structural barriers highlights the timely need to increase HIV treatment disparities among BSMM. Use of social media and mobile phone technology has also proven and theorized to be effective avenues for HIV intervention. This protocol describes the conception and procedural process of phase 2 of LINX LA—a randomized control trial via a web-based mobile application to evaluate the efficacy of the app among BSMM in LAC.

Objective:

The objective of the LINX study is to test the efficacy of LINX App compared to the LINX App Plus telephone-based coaching to improve treatment HIV outcomes (i.e., ART adherence, viral suppression) among BSMM in LAC.

Methods:

In this study funded by the California HIV/AIDS Research Program, University of California Office of the President, we focus research efforts on participants who identify as BSMM living with HIV in LAC.

Results:

The LINX Study will test the efficacy of a web-based mobile app intervention for BSMM living with HIV in LAC (N=100). The LINX App will seek to increase participants’ knowledge of HIV, facilitate access to necessary social and legal services, and increase social support across participants.

Conclusions:

Implementation of LINX LA aims to develop and test a culturally tailored approach to improving participants’ HIV treatment outcomes. Clinical Trial: The research team did not register this study at clinicaltrials.gov because it did not involve randomization to a true control group. Due to ethical concerns about withholding the mHealth intervention, all participants received the app; half were randomized to receive coaching.