JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Male adolescents have significant sexual and reproductive health (SRH) needs and, despite the existence of national guidelines, their SRH care receipt remains poor. Technology-based interventions have been shown to successfully support adolescents’ SRH however no such solutions exist to support comprehensive SRH care delivery for males.

Objective:

This paper provides a protocol for the development, user testing, and rigorous evaluation of Health-E You, a web-based mobile application designed to facilitate SRH care delivery for male adolescents.

Methods:

We will implement a youth-centered design process, using multiple rounds of qualitative data collection and engaging youth and clinician advisors to design the Health-E You app. User testing of the beta version in a clinical setting will inform improvements prior to the launch of a cluster randomized trial with eight primary care settings across the United States that will assess the impact of Health-E You on sexually active male adolescents’ SRH care receipt and condom use.

Results:

Results will consist of qualitative data on male adolescents’ and clinicians’ perspectives on SRH care receipt and delivery, respectively, and their preferences for app design. User testing will provide qualitative and quantitative data on the feasibility, acceptability, and usability of Health-E You in clinical settings. Efficacy trial results will indicate the extent to which the app improves SRH care receipt and condom use among sexually active male adolescents.

Conclusions:

Findings from this study can be used to inform future technology-based interventions for male adolescents and improve male adolescents’ SRH care receipt in primary care. Clinical Trial: NCT06525064