Accepted for/Published in: JMIR Formative Research
Date Submitted: Nov 7, 2022
Open Peer Review Period: Sep 27, 2022 - Nov 22, 2022
Date Accepted: Jan 12, 2023
(closed for review but you can still tweet)
Warning: This is an author submission that is not peer-reviewed or edited.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.
Development of an mhealth App to Support STI Prevention Among Black Men Who Have Sex with men Engaged in PrEP Care in New Orleans, Louisiana: A Qualitative User-Centered Design Study
ABSTRACT
Background:
Sexual health disparities exist for Black men who have sex with men (BMSM) in New Orleans, Louisiana. Rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are high for both BMSM and those taking HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP).
Objective:
In this study, we introduced an existing PrEP adherence app to new potential users in New Orleans, Louisiana to guide app adaptation with STI prevention features and tailoring for the local context.
Methods:
Four FGDs were conducted with 24 BMSM taking PrEP. We grouped themes into four categories: STI prevention, app preferences, impressions of the app prototype, and adaptations. Participants desired STI prevention strategies and suggested prevention methods to implement through the app. They emphasized the need for an app to offer relevant features and be easy-to-use. Participants thought the current app was useful and generally liked the existing features. They had suggestions for modifications for STI prevention, such as the ability to track and comment on sexual encounters, and for tailoring to the local context, such as depictions of iconic sights from the area. Participants also stressed the importance of ensuring privacy and reducing stigma through the app.
Results:
Four FGDs were conducted with 24 BMSM taking PrEP. Themes are grouped into four categories: STI prevention, app preferences, impressions of the app prototype, and adaptations. Participants desired STI prevention strategies and suggested prevention methods to implement through the app. They emphasized the need for an app to offer relevant features and be easy-to-use. Participants thought the current app was useful and generally liked the existing features. They had suggestions for modifications for STI prevention, such as the ability to track and comment on sexual encounters, and for tailoring to the local context, such as depictions of iconic sights from the area. Participants also stressed the importance of ensuring privacy and reducing stigma through the app.
Conclusions:
A PrEP adherence app was iteratively adapted with feedback from Black MSM, resulting in a new app modified for the New Orleans context and with STI prevention features. Next steps will assess usage and STI prevention outcomes.
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