Accepted for/Published in: Journal of Medical Internet Research
Date Submitted: Jul 25, 2020
Date Accepted: Oct 9, 2020
Using a Mobile Application Strategy to Facilitate HPV Vaccination Among Young Men Who Have Sex With Men: A Pilot Intervention Study
ABSTRACT
Background:
Young men who have sex with men (MSM) have identified mobile application (app)-based interventions as a potential facilitator for vaccination.
Objective:
This pilot study tested the feasibility of a theoretically informed mobile health (mHealth) Tool designed to reduce health disparities and facilitate HPV vaccination among a sample of young MSM.
Methods:
The development of the mHealth Tool was guided previous research, the Theory of Implementation Intention, and Design Thinking. We recruited MSM aged 18-26 years through a popular online dating app and linked participants to our mHealth Tool which provided HPV vaccine information and fostered access to care.
Results:
Forty-two young MSM participated in the Boston, Massachusetts-based pilot. Participants reported variable HPV knowledge (i.e. high knowledge of HPV risk factors, low knowledge of HPV related cancers for men) and positive vaccine beliefs and attitudes. Of those that were either unvaccinated, not up to date, or did not report vaccine status, 22% utilized the mHealth Tool to obtain HPV vaccination. Participants primarily utilized the Tool’s: 1) educational components, and 2) capabilities facilitating concrete vaccine action plans.
Conclusions:
We recruited an underserved at-risk population of youth via an online dating app for our mHealth intervention that resulted in in-person health delivery. Study was limited by enrollment challenges, including young MSM willingness to download the mHealth Tool to their mobile device
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