Pilot feasibility trial of the MyPEEPS mobile app to reduce sexual risk among young men in 4 cities

Abstract

Objectives Our study team adapted the MyPEEPS (Male Youth Pursuing Empowerment, Education, and Prevention around Sexuality) curriculum, an evidence-based human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) prevention intervention, from a face-to-face, group-based intervention to an individual-level mobile responsive web-based intervention to improve HIV risk behaviors in very young men, aged 13–18 years. Materials and methods In adapting the MyPEEPS intervention to mobile app, we used a series of methodologies, including expert panel reviews, weekly team meetings with the software development company, and conducted in-depth interviews with very young men. Following the iterative process, we conducted a 6-week pre–post feasibility pilot trial with 40 young men in Birmingham, AL; Chicago, IL; New York City, NY; and Seattle, WA. Primary outcomes of interest were uptake of the app, accessibility and satisfaction. Results Across all 4 sites, 62.5% (25/40) of participants completed all modules in the app in an average of 28.85 (SD 21.69) days. Participants who did not attend to the follow-up visit did not complete any of the app modules. Overall participants reported that the app was easy to use, useful and has the potential to improve their sexual health knowledge and behavior and awareness in risky contexts. Participants also highly rated the app, information and interface quality of the app. Discussion Lessons learned from the pilot included the need for reminder systems and providing anticipatory guidance about Internet connectivity when using the app. These changes will be incorporated into study procedures for our multisite trial. Conclusion Overall, participants found the app to be highly usable and have the potential to positively improve their sexual risk behavior.

A Qualitative Study to Inform Adaptation of MyPEEPS Mobile for Transmasculine Youth

“…The MyPEEPS scenarios include, for example, those involving emotionally activating and cognitively complex situations involving partner-specific factors (e.g., older partners), experiences of social stigmatization (e.g., by race and/or sexual orientation), and sexualized contexts (e.g., online sexual partner interaction, under the influence of alcohol or drugs) and specifically address emotional regulation and minority stress which are salient issues facing adolescents at risk for acquiring HIV. 6 Building on this work, and the emergence of digital technology as a platform for health behavior interventions including HIV prevention strategies, [7][8][9] our study team translated the MyPEEPS intervention onto a mobile platform for a slightly younger age group, 13-18 years, [10][11][12] with content delivered through YMSM avatars (e.g., caricature or graphic identity) whose profiles and problems are based on the formative research of the original pilot trial and who manage their sexual health against a backdrop of personal, family-based, and relational challenges. 6 The application (app) content is guided by four peeps-Tommy, Philip, Nico, and Artemio-who relay content through comics, animation, and scenarios delivered through 21 brief activities in four sequential modules.…”

Using Video Games to Improve the Sexual Health of Young People Aged 15 to 25 Years: Rapid Review

“…MyPEEPS [ 38 - 40 ] is a role-playing game in which young MSM with little to no sexual experience go through different scenarios guided by 4 characters (the peeps ) who teach them about sexual health care. The game comprises 4 sequential modules (PEEPScapades).…”

A randomized controlled efficacy trial of an mHealth HIV prevention intervention for sexual minority young men: MyPEEPS mobile study protocol

“…This protocol has been approved by the Institutional Review Board of Columbia University as the single IRB (IRB-AAAQ6500) with a waiver of parental permission for participation of minors (aged [13][14][15][16][17]. Study participants complete a written informed e-assent or e-consent process through a web portal prior to participation in research activities.…”

“…The group-based intervention demonstrated evidence of efficacy to reduce sexual risk behavior in this population [14]. We adapted the groupbased intervention curriculum to mobile app for a younger (≤18 years of age) and more diverse group (i.e., to include Native Americans, Asian Americans) through a user-centered and iterative design process and tested for feasibility, acceptability, and usability in a recent set of studies [15][16][17][18].…”