Effectiveness and Implementation of Text Messaging to Improve Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Testing in Adolescents
Northwestern University
Summary
This study will test the effectiveness of a text message-based intervention on human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing behaviors among adolescent (13-19 year old). To test the effectiveness on HIV testing behaviors we will randomize participants to the treatment or an attention matched information only control arm and asses our primary effectiveness outcome of objective HIV testing (e.g., photo of test results).
Description
Adolescents (ages 13-19) are disproportionately affected by HIV, accounting for 21% of all new infections in the U.S. in 2019. Although CDC and USPTF recommend HIV screening among adolescents, testing rates are very low (\<10% have ever been tested). Furthermore, in the U.S., 44% of 13-24-year-olds who are HIV-positive are unaware of their status - the highest percentage of undiagnosed infections of all age groups. As such there is a need for interventions that aim to increase HIV testing in adolescents. This study builds upon the work of a previous text-based sexual health intervention progr…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 13–19 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Yes
Inclusion Criteria: * Have penetrative or oral sex in their lifetime * 13-19 years old * reads in English at a 8th grade level * HIV negative or unknown status * own a cell phone with an unlimited MMS plan and plan to have the same number during the study * can provide informed assent, as shown on a capacity to consent assessment * live in the U.S. or territories. Exclusion Criteria: * Previous lifetime testing for HIV or an STI OR no testing since last sexual experience * HIV positive * Currently on PrEP
Interventions
- BehavioralInformation, motivation, behavioral skills treatment arm
Our intervention will be an updated version of (Guy2Guy) G2G, a 2014 text messaging-based healthy sexuality and HIV prevention program specifically for adolescent males. The treatment arm of G2G was guided by the Information-Motivation-Behavioral Skills (IMB) model and proved to be efficacious at increasing HIV testing in 13-18 year old adolescent males. In this updated version we will continue to utilize the IMB model, but modernize the content to include updated HIV prevention information (e.g., novel methods of HIV testing, PrEP, PEP) and tailor the text-message content to meet the needs of all adolescents.
- BehavioralInformation only control arm
This information only control arm will consist of content and text messages focused on health behavior information, including mood, sexual health, substance use, and other health behaviors. It will be identical in length to the intervention arm.
Location
- Northwestern University Feinberg School of MedicineChicago, Illinois