Leveraging Chatbot Technology to Improve PrEP Awareness and Uptake Among Black MSM in the Southern United States
Yale University
Summary
The purpose of this study is to develop a chatbot intervention to promote PrEP awareness and uptake among Black men who have sex with men (MSM) in the Southern United States.
Description
In the United States (US), the epicenter of the HIV epidemic is in the South. The HIV-related death rate in the US South is high, but engagement with quality HIV prevention services and care is low. Although only 38% of the US population lives in the South, the region accounts for 51% of new HIV infections. Gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (MSM) account for 60% of new infections among African Americans in the South. Black MSM are one of the most vulnerable groups to HIV transmission in the US. HIV testing and PrEP uptake in Black MSM, however, remain low (10%) due to multiple…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 18+ years
- Sex
- Male
- Healthy volunteers
- Yes
Inclusion Criteria: * Being cisgender Black male * Being aged ≥ 18 years * Having Internet access * Speaking English * Self-reporting condomless sex with another man in the past 6 months * HIV negative or untested. Exclusion Criteria: * Having lived in the US South less than 3 months * Having received antiretroviral therapy (ART) treatment.
Interventions
- DeviceA chatbot designed to promote PrEP awareness and uptake for Black MSM
Participants in the intervention group will have access to a theory-informed (Self-Determination Theory) chatbot and receive an automated personalized question message (root-node message) from the chatbot. The root-node messages are questions written into the chatbot algorithms to initiate interactive communication with participants. In each round of the interactive communication, the chatbot will provide automated personalized PrEP-related information, autonomous motivation, and psychological needs based on Self-Determination Theory constructs.
- OtherGeneral educational messages
Participants in the control group will received general education messages from a research assistant including healthy diet, exercise, and COVID-19 prevention. The frequency of contact will be pre-specified by participants in interviews prior to the RCT.
Locations (4)
- Care 4 U Community Health CenterMiami, Florida
- Community Care Resources of FL (CCRSFL)Pembroke Pines, Florida
- NAESM, IncAtlanta, Georgia
- RAO Community HealthCharlotte, North Carolina