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Accepted for/Published in: JMIR Formative Research

Date Submitted: Apr 11, 2023
Date Accepted: Jul 19, 2023

The final, peer-reviewed published version of this preprint can be found here:

An mHealth-Delivered Sexual Harm Reduction Tool (PartyPack) for Men Who Have Sex With Men in Malaysia: Usability Study

Gautam K, Paudel K, Jacobs J, Wickersham JA, Ikhtiaruddin WM, Azwa I, Saifi R, Lim SH, Shrestha R

An mHealth-Delivered Sexual Harm Reduction Tool (PartyPack) for Men Who Have Sex With Men in Malaysia: Usability Study

JMIR Form Res 2023;7:e48113

DOI: 10.2196/48113

PMID: 37616034

PMCID: 10485720

Usability and Acceptability of the Safer Chemsex Package (“PartyPack”): mHealth-Delivered Sexual Harm Reduction Tool for Men Who Have Sex with Men in Malaysia

  • Kamal Gautam; 
  • Kiran Paudel; 
  • Jerome Jacobs; 
  • Jeffrey A. Wickersham; 
  • Wan Mohd Ikhtiaruddin; 
  • Iskandar Azwa; 
  • Rumana Saifi; 
  • Sin How Lim; 
  • Roman Shrestha

ABSTRACT

Background:

Chemsex – the use of psychoactive drugs to enhance the sexual experience – is an increasing phenomenon globally. Despite the increasing burden and associated harms of chemsex, evidence-based intervention (i.e., behavioral, pharmacological) for chemsex users is non-existent.

Objective:

In this study, we, therefore, assessed the usability and acceptability of mHealth-delivered safer chemsex package (“PartyPack”) as a sexual harm reduction strategy among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Malaysia – a setting where chemsex is becoming increasingly prevalent.

Methods:

This study is part of a larger smartphone app-based intervention (i.e., JomPrEP) designed to improve access to HIV prevention services among Malaysian MSM. Fifty participants were recruited from the Greater Kuala Lumpur region of Malaysia to use the JomPrEP app, which included a feature allowing participants to order PartyPack, for 30 days (March – April 2022). The usability and acceptability of the PartyPack were assessed using self-report, app analytics, and exit interviews (n=20).

Results:

Overall, 8% reported to have engaged in chemsex in the past six months, however, engagement in condomless sex (68%) and group sex (18%) was much higher. Forty-three participants (86%) ordered PartyPack, of which 27 (62.7%) made multiple orders during the 30-day period. Most participants (94.5%) reported being satisfied with the PartyPack order feature in the app, with 91.7% indicating the order and tracking process to be easy. Thematic data exploration further revealed important information for understanding (e.g., items included in the package, use of mHealth platform to order package, discreetness of the PartyPack box and order and delivery) and refining the logistical preferences (e.g., using branded items, allowing customization during order).

Conclusions:

Our findings provide strong evidence of the usability and acceptability of a mHealth-delivered safer chemsex package as a potential sexual harm reduction tool among this underserved population. Replication in a study with larger sample size to test the efficacy of the PartyPack is warranted.


 Citation

Please cite as:

Gautam K, Paudel K, Jacobs J, Wickersham JA, Ikhtiaruddin WM, Azwa I, Saifi R, Lim SH, Shrestha R

An mHealth-Delivered Sexual Harm Reduction Tool (PartyPack) for Men Who Have Sex With Men in Malaysia: Usability Study

JMIR Form Res 2023;7:e48113

DOI: 10.2196/48113

PMID: 37616034

PMCID: 10485720

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