The goal of this randomized control trial (RCT) is to assess the effectiveness of Amp, a mobile health (mHealth) app designed to improve outcomes along the HIV care continuum for young Black men who have sex with men (YBMSM) living with HIV. HIV care continuum (linkage to care, retention, viral suppression), quality of life and self efficacy outcomes will be compared after a 4-month period between the intervention group (use Amp and standard of care) and the control group (standard of care only).
A maximum of 400 YBMSM participants will be recruited into a randomized control trial from multiple sites across the US to assess the effectiveness of Amp, an mHealth app designed to improve outcomes along the HIV care continuum for YBMSM living with HIV. HIV care continuum (linkage to care, retention, viral suppression), quality of life and self efficacy outcomes will be compared after a 4-month period between the intervention group (use Amp and standard of care) and the control group (standard of care only).
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
300
Amp is a virtual support system mHealth app that provides information and social support to help young Black men who have sex with men (YBMSM) living with HIV achieve better HIV care continuum outcomes and overall well-being.
Sentient Research
West Covina, California, United States
Viral Suppression
HIV viral load is less than 200 copies per microliter based on labs in patient EMR data. Viral suppression (viral load is less than 200 copies per microliter) is the better outcome.
Time frame: 4 months
HIV Stigma
Composite agreement score on 13 HIV related stigma statements as measured by items derived from the Berger HIV Stigma Scale. Agreement from 1 (Strongly Disagree) to 5 (Strongly Agree). Lower scores indicate lower stigma (better outcome). Range of composite scores will be from 13 to 65.
Time frame: 4 months
HIV and Anti-retroviral knowledge
Composite agreement score on 7 knowledge statements around Anti-retroviral, viral suppression, and U=U. Agreement from 1 (Strongly Disagree) to 5 (Strongly Agree). Higher scores indicate greater knowledge (better outcome). Range of composite scores will be from 7 to 35.
Time frame: 4 months
Anti-retroviral medication adherence
Self-report measures of ART adherence based on type of prescription (injectable or pill), length of time taking medication, and time since last does in moths and/or days.
Time frame: 4 months
Adherence barriers
Reasons checked for not taking ART medication from a list of 13 reasons and an "other" write in. More reasons checked indicate more barriers. Little to no barriers is the better outcome. Composite score range for reasons is from 0 to 13. A lower score is the better outcome.
Time frame: 4 months
Self-Reported Medical Visits
Self-reported completed medical visits and appointments missed in the past 4 months. Response range is from "0" to "30 or more times". A lower selection is the better outcome.
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.
Time frame: 4 months
HIV status disclosure
Self report measures of HIV status disclosure.
Time frame: 4 months
Social support
Composite agreement score on 7 statements for social support. Agreement from 1 (Strongly Disagree) to 5 (Strongly Agree). Higher scores indicate higher social support (better outcome). Range of composite scores will be from 7 to 35.
Time frame: 4 months
Depressive symptoms
Composite frequency score on 6 depression symptoms from the Brief Symptom Inventory 18 (BSI-18). From 1 (Not at all) to 4 (Nearly every day). Lower scores indicate lower frequency of symptoms (better outcome). Range of composite scores will be from 6 to 24.
Time frame: 4 months
Anxiety symptoms
Composite frequency score on 5 anxiety symptoms from the Brief Symptom Inventory 18 (BSI-18). From 1 (Not at all) to 4 (Nearly every day). Lower scores indicate lower frequency of symptoms (better outcome). Range of composite scores will be from 5 to 20.
Time frame: 4 months
Substance use
Composite score on self-report measures of substance use for 10 substances and an "other" write-in from 1 (Never) to 5 (Every day). Range of scores from 10 to 55. A lower score is the better outcome.
Time frame: 4 months
Time to Treatment Initiation
Time in days to treatment initiation from date of diagnosis or referral.
Time frame: 4 months
Linkage to HIV Care
Linkage to HIV care based on two completed medical visits from date of diagnosis or referral.
Time frame: 4 months
Medical Visits Record based on EMR
Completed medical visits and appointments missed in the past 4 months based on electronic medical record.
Time frame: 4 months
HIV Self-Management
Composite agreement score on 12 HIV self-management agreement statements. Agreement from 1 (Strongly Disagree) to 5 (Strongly Agree). Lower scores indicate lower self-management and higher scores indicate higher HIV self-management stigma (better outcome). Range of composite scores will be from 12 to 60.
Time frame: 4 months
Resilience
Composite agreement score on resilience agreement statements. Agreement from 1 (Strongly Disagree) to 5 (Strongly Agree). Lower scores indicate lower resilience and higher scores indicate higher resilience (better outcome). Range of composite score from 8 to 40.
Time frame: 4 months
Discussion of PrEP with Sex Partners
Frequency on a 5-point scale from "never" to "all of the time" on discussing PrEP with an HIV negative or unknown status partner in the last 4 months.
Time frame: 4 months
Discussion of U=U with Sex Partners
Frequency on a 5-point scale from "never" to "all of the time" on discussing U=U with an HIV negative or unknown status partner in the last 4 months.
Time frame: 4 months