MyPEEPS Mobile for HIV Prevention

This trial aims to determine if MyPEEPS Mobile, a web app featuring interactive games and videos, can reduce new HIV infections. The study will compare this app to usual care, which includes regular HIV testing and information about prevention methods like PrEP (a medicine to prevent HIV) and PEP (emergency medicine after potential exposure). It seeks HIV-negative young men who have sex with men and non-binary individuals assigned male at birth, who have had recent sexual activity. Participants must live in the US, understand English, and have access to a smartphone. As an unphased trial, this study offers a unique opportunity to contribute to innovative HIV prevention strategies.

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

Research shows that the MyPEEPS Mobile app is easy to use and could help address HIV risk behaviors in young transgender men and transmasculine youth. Users find the app user-friendly. In studies with similar groups, no negative effects have been reported from using the app, which reassures those considering joining the trial. Participants will use a mobile app, which generally lacks the physical risks associated with medication.¹²³⁴⁵

Researchers are excited about MyPEEPS Mobile because it offers a fresh approach to HIV prevention through an engaging, interactive web app. Unlike traditional methods that rely on information dissemination and periodic testing, MyPEEPS Mobile uses games, scenarios, and role-plays to actively engage users in learning about HIV prevention. This innovative delivery method not only makes the educational process more enjoyable but also increases the likelihood of retention and behavior change. By integrating technology with preventative education, MyPEEPS Mobile has the potential to reach wider audiences and foster more effective self-care practices.

Studies have shown that the MyPEEPS Mobile app is easy to use and may help reduce behaviors that increase the risk of HIV in young men who have sex with men. Research indicates that app users had fewer instances of sex without a condom, a major factor in spreading HIV. Participants in previous studies continued using the app over time, which is important for ongoing prevention. In this trial, participants randomized to the intervention arm will access MyPEEPS Mobile, which includes games, scenarios, and role-plays to engage users and provide important HIV prevention information. By focusing on key behaviors, MyPEEPS Mobile aims to effectively reduce the number of HIV infections in high-risk groups.¹²³⁶⁷