Advancing HIV Prevention and Linkage to Care Among MSM With Gamification

NCT ID: NCT02946164

Last Updated: 2018-02-22

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: COMPLETED
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 166 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2016-10-31
• Study Completion Date: 2017-12-31

Brief Summary

This study is a pilot evaluation of 'Stick To It', a behavioral intervention based on the concept of gamification. The objective of the program is to encourage young men who have sex with men (MSM) to be regularly screened for HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and to adopt safer sexual behaviors, with the ultimate goal to decrease HIV and STI incidence. Gamification is the application of game elements, like points, badges, and rewards, to non-game settings.

Detailed Description

The investigators will conduct a quasi-experimental pilot study of 'Stick To It', a prevention intervention that uses gamification principles and mechanics. The intervention includes an online timer that reminds men to get tested, online quizzes, and peer recruitment; these activities are awarded with points redeemable for chances at prizes at participating clinics. The intervention was designed based on findings from interviews with health staff and focus groups with young MSM, and with input from a gamification consultant. The primary hypothesis is that the intervention will increase repeat HIV/STI testing among young MSM. The intervention will be implemented at two STI clinics in Oakland and Los Angeles, California in 2-week intervals for six months. The investigators will review medical records of exposed and unexposed young MSM attending the same STI clinics to compare uptake of quarterly HIV testing and self-reported behavior after six months.

Conditions

HIV Infections; Sexually Transmitted Diseases

Study Design

• Allocation Method: NON_RANDOMIZED
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Primary Study Purpose: PREVENTION
• Blinding Strategy: NONE

Study Groups

Comparison: Standard of Care

Standard services available to all men at AHF Wellness Centers.

Group Type: NO_INTERVENTION

No interventions assigned to this group

Intervention: 'Stick To It' Intervention

Behavioral intervention.

Group Type: ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Stick To It

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

The intervention is a prize system linked to points earned through online and real-world activities designed to incentivize young MSM to test for HIV and STIs every three months. Participants receive points for pre-determined activities, such as: answering online quizzes, inviting friends to participate, and getting tested for HIV/STIs. Points are redeemable in person at two AIDS Healthcare Foundation Men's Wellness Centers, where participants will be able to exchange their points for gumballs from a gumball machine; different color combinations of gumballs correspond to prizes of different values. Participants are reminded to get tested regularly via SMS messages; in addition, they can check when their next test is due by checking their testing timer on the stick2it.org website.

Interventions

Stick To It

The intervention is a prize system linked to points earned through online and real-world activities designed to incentivize young MSM to test for HIV and STIs every three months. Participants receive points for pre-determined activities, such as: answering online quizzes, inviting friends to participate, and getting tested for HIV/STIs. Points are redeemable in person at two AIDS Healthcare Foundation Men's Wellness Centers, where participants will be able to exchange their points for gumballs from a gumball machine; different color combinations of gumballs correspond to prizes of different values. Participants are reminded to get tested regularly via SMS messages; in addition, they can check when their next test is due by checking their testing timer on the stick2it.org website.

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• 18-26 years of age
• male
• self-identify as gay / bisexual / queer
• willing and able to provide informed consent to join the Stick To It program
• resident in one of several zip code areas surrounding the clinic

Exclusion Criteria

• Not a resident of one of included zip code areas

• Minimum Eligible Age: 18 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 26 Years
• Eligible Sex: MALE
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Sponsors

AIDS Healthcare Foundation

OTHER

Sponsor Role: collaborator

University of California, Los Angeles

OTHER

Sponsor Role: collaborator

University of California, Berkeley

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Responsibility Role: SPONSOR

Principal Investigators

Sandra I McCoy, PhD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Assistant Adjunct Professor

Locations

AHF Hollywood Wellness Center

Los Angeles, California, United States

AHF Wellness Center Oakland

Oakland, California, United States

Countries

United States

References

Mejia CM, Acland D, Buzdugan R, Grimball R, Natoli L, McGrath MR, Klausner JD, McCoy SI. An Intervention Using Gamification to Increase Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Sexually Transmitted Infection Screening Among Young Men Who Have Sex With Men in California: Rationale and Design of Stick To It. JMIR Res Protoc. 2017 Jul 17;6(7):e140. doi: 10.2196/resprot.8064.

Reference Type: DERIVED

PMID: 28716771 (View on PubMed)

Other Identifiers

R34MH106359

Identifier Type: NIH

Identifier Source: org_study_id

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