The goal of this study is to increase HIV and syphilis testing and linkage to care, increase condom use, and promote PrEP uptake among sexual minority men (SMM) and American Indian (AI) men in rural Oklahoma, a state that is an Ending the HIV Epidemic (EHE) priority state. The proposed supplement aims to: refine our preliminary intervention strategy in partnership with a Community Advisory Board (CAB) and rural peer mentors, and to assess feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary impact of the e-HERO intervention.
In the U.S., incidence rates of HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are disproportionately high among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men-referred to herein as sexual minority men (SMM)-compared to men who have sex with women only. Similarly, rates of HIV infection have increased among American Indian (AI) men. This is a two-group, active-control RCT of the online e-HERO intervention. Participants (100 SMM; 100 AI men) will be randomized into two groups in equal proportions. This study evaluates two versions of an online sexual health intervention. The e-HERO intervention includes 10 modules, totaling approximately 2.5 hours of content. Across these modules, e-HERO uses diverse delivery methods (e.g., videos, interactive games) to address HIV and STI knowledge, behavioral skills, HIV and STI testing intention, and instill self-efficacy to primary and secondary prevention behaviors. Those in the intervention condition will also engage in three virtual group discussion sessions with peer mentors. The control condition contains the same number of modules as e-HERO. The control condition contains the same number of modules as e-HERO. The control arm reflects HIV and STI information that is currently available on many websites, with the aim to understand how the cultural tailoring of e-HERO modules improves upon information that is readily available online.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
72
A behavioral intervention utilizing online platforms to assess the impact of cultural tailoring of health education material.
Northern Arizona University
Flagstaff, Arizona, United States
HIV Testing Uptake
HIV testing uptake is assessed through the request of an at-home rapid HIV test through the e-HERO platforms.
Time frame: Assessed at the end of month 3 of the intervention.
HIV Testing Intention
The outcome scale name is called "Intentions to get tested for HIV", measuring the construct of intention to get tested for HIV in the next 3 months, by asking the 1-item question: "How likely are you to get tested for HIV in the next three months?" The outcome is assessed on a 6-point Likert-type scale.The score range was 1-6, from 1= Extremely unlikely to get tested for HIV to 6=Extremely likely to get tested for HIV. A higher score indicated greater intentions to get tested, which is considered a preferred outcome. There were no subscales.
Time frame: Baseline, 1 month, and 3 months
STI Testing Intention
The outcome scale name is called "Intentions to get tested for a Sexually Transmitted Infection", measuring the construct of intentions to get a test for an STI in the next 3 months. The outcome was a 1-item question: "How likely are you to get tested for other STIs besides HIV in the next three months?" The answers were assessed on a 6-point Likert-type scale, with a score ranging from 1-6 (1= Extremely unlikely to get tested for an STI to 6=Extremely likely to get tested for an STI). A higher score indicated greater intentions to get tested, which is considered a preferred outcome. There were no subscales.
Time frame: Baseline, 1 month, and 3 months
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