Recruiting Black Men Who Have Sex With Men (MSM) Couples via Dating Apps: Pilot Study on Challenges and Successes

Abstract

Background HIV disproportionately impacts Black men who have sex with men (MSM), and targeting the primary relationship (ie, couples) using mobile technology for health holds promise for HIV prevention. Web-based recruitment of MSM is commonly employed in HIV prevention and intervention research. However, little known about recruiting Black MSM couples on the internet in the United States. Objective This study describes the process of recruiting Black MSM couples over social networking and dating apps frequented by MSM. We describe the activities for recruiting, screening, and enrolling participants as part of a randomized trial employing a multipronged recruitment approach. Methods Black MSM in couples were recruited via three apps (ie, Jack’d, Adam4Adam, and Growlr) between May 2020 and March 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States. Black MSM couples were eligible if one or both partners are Black, MSM, and living with HIV, and if both partners were 18 years or older, and have been together for at least 2 months in what they both consider a primary relationship (ie, one in which both partners reported feeling most committed to over any other partner or relationship). Results A total of 10 Black MSM couples (n=20) were enrolled via social networking apps. App recruitment activities were a combination of passive (eg, in-app advertisements) and active (eg, direct messaging of users) engagement. Recruitment approaches varied by the social networking app owing to differences in app features. A full-time recruiter experienced challenges such as bugs (ie, technical errors in computer program or system), navigating technical requirements specific to each app, and web-based harassment. Conclusions Despite challenges, it was possible to recruit Black MSM couples virtually into research as part of a multipronged recruitment strategy. We identify tips for using web-based dating and other social networking apps as part of a recruitment strategy in future research with Black MSM couples.

Acceptability of the LetSync App Wireframes for an mHealth Intervention to Improve HIV Care Engagement and Treatment Among Black Partnered Sexual Minority Men: Findings from In-Depth Qualitative Interviews

“…Purposive sampling was used to recruit participants into this study. Detailed information regarding web-based recruitment procedures is described elsewhere [ 16 ]. In addition, the research team used a snowball sampling technique (through word of mouth) and worked with local community-based organizations to recruit other qualifying couples to participate in the study.…”

Age Differences in the Associations Between Incarceration and Subsequent Substance Use, Sexual Risk-Taking, and Incident STI Among Black Sexual Minority Men and Black Transgender Women in the HIV Prevention Trials 061 Cohort

“…Sexual risk behaviors are proximate determinants of STI/HIV acquisition, and substance use is an underlying determinant of both sexual risk-taking and STI/HIV acquisition (Chamberlain et al, 2017). Specifically, younger BSMM/BTW are more likely than their older counterparts (i.e., those over 30 years of age) to seek sexual partners via social media, and those who find sexual partners online are more likely to have condomless anal intercourse (Bauermeister et al, 2011; Broaddus et al, 2015; Witkovic et al, 2022). Although STI/HIV incidence rates are highest in younger adult groups, risk-taking can fuel outbreaks in older age cohorts, and age mixing between younger and older groups can result in STI/HIV exposure across age groups.…”