Top

Published in:

01-02-2014 | Original Paper

Acceptability of Smartphone Application-Based HIV Prevention Among Young Men Who Have Sex With Men

Authors: Ian W. Holloway, Eric Rice, Jeremy Gibbs, Hailey Winetrobe, Shannon Dunlap, Harmony Rhoades

Published in: AIDS and Behavior | Issue 2/2014

Abstract

Young men who have sex with men (YMSM) are increasingly using mobile smartphone applications (“apps”), such as Grindr, to meet sex partners. A probability sample of 195 Grindr-using YMSM in Southern California were administered an anonymous online survey to assess patterns of and motivations for Grindr use in order to inform development and tailoring of smartphone-based HIV prevention for YMSM. The number one reason for using Grindr (29 %) was to meet “hook ups.” Among those participants who used both Grindr and online dating sites, a statistically significantly greater percentage used online dating sites for “hook ups” (42 %) compared to Grindr (30 %). Seventy percent of YMSM expressed a willingness to participate in a smartphone app-based HIV prevention program. Development and testing of smartphone apps for HIV prevention delivery has the potential to engage YMSM in HIV prevention programming, which can be tailored based on use patterns and motivations for use.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. HIV and AIDS among gay and bisexual men. 2012. http://www.cdc.gov/nchhstp/newsroom/docs/2012/CDC-MSM-0612-508.pdf. Accessed 28 Nov 2013.

Prejean J, Song R, Hernandez A, et al. Estimated HIV incidence in the United States, 2006–2009. PLoS ONE. 2011;6(8):e17502. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0017502.PubMedCentralPubMedCrossRef

Orellana ER, Picciano JF, Roffman RA, Swanson F, Kalichman SC. Correlates of nonparticipation in an HIV prevention program for MSM. AIDS Educ Prev. 2006;18(4):348–61. doi:10.1521/aeap.2006.18.4.348.PubMedCrossRef

Iguchi MY, Ober AJ, Berry SH, et al. Simultaneous recruitment of drug users and men who have sex with men in the United States and Russia using respondent-driven sampling: sampling methods and implications. J Urban Health. 2009;86(1):5–31. doi:10.1007/s11524-009-9365-4.PubMedCrossRef

Koblin BA, Chesney MA, Husnik MJ, et al. High-risk behaviors among men who have sex with men in 6 US cities: baseline data from the EXPLORE study. Am J Public Health. 2003;93(6):926–32. doi:10.2105/AJPH.93.6.926.PubMedCrossRef

Harper GW. Sex isn’t that simple: culture and context in HIV prevention interventions for gay and bisexual male adolescents. Am Psychol. 2007;62(8):806. doi:10.1037/0003-066X.62.8.806.CrossRef

Mustanski B, Garofalo R, Herrick A, Donenberg G. Psychosocial health problems increase risk for HIV among urban young men who have sex with men: preliminary evidence of a syndemic in need of attention. Ann Behav Med. 2007;34(1):37–45. doi:10.1007/BF02879919.PubMedCentralPubMedCrossRef

Mustanski BS, Newcomb ME, Du Bois SN, Garcia SC, Grov C. HIV in young men who have sex with men: a review of epidemiology, risk and protective factors, and interventions. J Sex Res. 2011;48(2–3):218–53. doi:10.1080/00224499.2011.558645.PubMedCentralPubMedCrossRef

Amirkhanian YA, Kelly JA, Kabakchieva E, McAuliffe TL, Vassileva S. Evaluation of a social network HIV prevention intervention program for young men who have sex with men in Russia and Bulgaria. AIDS Educ Prev. 2003;15(3):205–20. doi:10.1521/aeap.15.4.205.23832.PubMedCrossRef

10.

Hays RB, Rebchook GM, Kegeles SM. The Mpowerment Project: community-building with young gay and bisexual men to prevent HIV. Am J Community Psychol. 2003;31(3–4):301–12. doi:10.1023/A:1023966905973.PubMedCrossRef

11.

Remafedi G. Cognitive and behavioral adaptations to HIV/AIDS among gay and bisexual adolescents. J Adolesc Health. 1994;15(2):142–8. doi:10.1016/1054-139X(94)90541-X.PubMedCrossRef

12.

Kegeles SM, Hays RB, Coates TJ. The Mpowerment Project: a community-level HIV prevention intervention for young gay men. Am J Public Health. 1996;86(8):1129–36. doi:10.2105/AJPH.86.8_Pt_1.1129.PubMedCrossRef

13.

Holloway IW, Cederbaum J, Ajayi A, Shoptaw S. Where are the young men in HIV prevention efforts? Comments on HIV prevention programs and research from young men who have sex with men in Los Angeles County. J Prim Prev. 2012;33(5–6):271–8. doi:10.1007/s10935-012-0282-z.PubMedCentralPubMedCrossRef

14.

Seal DW, Kell JA, Bloom FR, et al. HIV prevention with young men who have sex with men: what young men themselves say is needed. AIDS Care. 2000;12(1):5–26. doi:10.1080/09540120047431.PubMedCrossRef

15.

Lenhart A, Purcell K, Smith A, Zickuhr K. Social media and young adults. 2010. http://www.pewinternet.org/Reports/2010/Social-Media-and-Young-Adults.aspx. Accessed 8 Apr 2013.

16.

Kubicek K, Carpineto J, McDavitt B, et al. Integrating professional and folk models of HIV risk: YMSM’s perceptions of high-risk sex. AIDS Educ Prev. 2008;20(3):220–38. doi:10.1521/aeap.2008.20.3.220.PubMedCentralPubMedCrossRef

17.

Kubicek K, Carpineto J, McDavitt B, Weiss G, Kipke M. Use and perceptions of the internet for sexual information and partners: a study of young men who have sex with men. Arch Sex Behav. 2011;40(4):803–16. doi:10.1007/s10508-010-9666-4.PubMedCentralPubMedCrossRef

18.

Mustanski B, Lyons T, Garcia SC. Internet use and sexual health of young men who have sex with men: a mixed-methods study. Arch Sex Behav. 2011;40(2):289–300. doi:10.1007/s10508-009-9596-1.PubMedCentralPubMedCrossRef

19.

Kingdon MJ, Storholm ED, Halkitis PN, et al. Targeting HIV prevention messaging to a new generation of gay, bisexual, and other young men who have sex with men. J Health Commun. 2013;18(3):325–42. doi:10.1080/10810730.2012.727953.PubMedCrossRef

20.

Bauermeister JA, Giguere R, Carbello-Dieguez A, Ventuneac A, Eisenburg A. Perceived risks and protective strategies employed by young men who have sex with men (YMSM) when seeking online sexual partners. J Health Commun. 2010;15(6):679–90. doi:10.1080/10810730.2010.499597.PubMedCentralPubMedCrossRef

21.

Bauermeister JA, Leslie-Santana M, Johns MM, Pingel E, Eisenberg A. Mr. right and Mr. right now: romantic and casual partner-seeking online among young men who have sex with men. AIDS Behav. 2011;15(2):261–72. doi:10.1007/s10461-010-9834-5.PubMedCentralPubMedCrossRef

22.

Garofalo R, Herrick A, Mustanski BS, Donenberg GR. Tip of the iceberg: young men who have sex with men, the internet, and HIV risk. Am J Public Health. 2007;97(6):1113–7. doi:10.2105/AJPH.2005.075630.PubMedCrossRef

23.

Liau A, Millett G, Marks G. Meta-analytic examination of online sex-seeking and sexual risk behavior among men who have sex with men. Sex Transm Infect. 2006;33(9):576–84. doi:10.1097/01.olq.0000204710.35332.c5.CrossRef

24.

Mustanski BS. Are sexual partners met online associated with HIV/STI risk behaviours? Retrospective and daily diary data in conflict. AIDS Care. 2007;19(6):822–7. doi:10.1080/09540120701237244.PubMedCrossRef

25.

Chiasson MA, Hirshfield S, Remien RH, et al. A comparison of on-line and off-line sexual risk in men who have sex with men: an event-based on-line survey. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr. 2007;44(2):235–43. doi:10.1097/QAI.0b013e31802e298c.PubMedCrossRef

26.

Jenness SM, Neaigus A, Hagan H, et al. Reconsidering the internet as an HIV/STD risk for men who have sex with men. AIDS Behav. 2010;14(6):1353–61. doi:10.1007/s10461-010-9769-x.PubMedCrossRef

27.

Kim AA, Kent C, McFarland W, Klausner JD. Cruising on the internet highway. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr. 2001;28(1):89–93.PubMed

28.

Horvath KJ, Rosser BR, Remafedi G. Sexual risk taking among young internet-using men who have sex with men. Am J Public Health. 2008;98(6):1059–67. doi:10.2105/AJPH.2007.111070.PubMedCrossRef

29.

Rosser BR, Oakes JM, Horvath KJ, et al. HIV sexual risk behavior by men who use the Internet to seek sex with men: results of the Men’s INTernet Sex Study-II (MINTS-II). AIDS Behav. 2009;13(3):488–98. doi:10.1007/s10461-009-9524-3.PubMedCrossRef

30.

Bauermeister JA. Romantic ideation, partner-seeking, and HIV risk among young gay and bisexual men. Arch Sex Behav. 2012;41(2):431–40. doi:10.1007/s10508-011-9747-z.PubMedCentralPubMedCrossRef

31.

Dragowski EA, Halkitis PN, Moeller RW, Siconolfi DE. Social and sexual contexts explain sexual risk taking in young gay, bisexual, and other young men who have sex with men, ages 13–29 years. J HIV AIDS Soc Serv. 2013;12(2):236–55. doi:10.1080/15381501.2013.793058.CrossRef

32.

Bailey JV, Murray E, Rait G, Mercer CH, Morris RW, Peacock R. Computer-based interventions for sexual health promotion: systematic review and meta analysis. Int J STD AIDS. 2012;23(6):408–13. doi:10.1258/ijsa.2011.011221.PubMedCrossRef

33.

Noar SM. Computer technology-based interventions in HIV prevention: state of the evidence and future directions for research. AIDS Care. 2011;23(5):525–33. doi:10.1080/09540121.2010.516349.PubMedCrossRef

34.

Ybarra ML, Bull SS. Current trends in internet and cell phone-based HIV prevention and intervention programs. Curr HIV/AIDS Rep. 2007;4(4):201–7. doi:10.1007/s11904-007-0029-2.PubMedCrossRef

35.

Bowen AM, Williams ML, Daniel CM, Clayton S. Internet based HIV prevention research targeting rural MSM: feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy. J Behav Med. 2008;31(6):463–77. doi:10.1007/s10865-008-9171-6.PubMedCentralPubMedCrossRef

36.

Chiasson MA, Shaw FS, Humberstone M, Hirschfield S, Hartel D. Increased HIV disclosure 3 months after an online video intervention for men who have sex with men (MSM). AIDS Care. 2009;21(9):1081–9. doi:10.1080/09540120902730013.PubMedCrossRef

37.

Carpenter KM, Stoner SA, Mikko AN, Dhanak LP, Parsons JT. Efficacy of a web-based intervention to reduce sexual risk in men who have sex with men. AIDS Behav. 2010;14(3):549–57. doi:10.1007/s10461-009-9578-2.PubMedCentralPubMedCrossRef

38.

Bourne C, Knight V, Guy R, Wand H, Lu H, McNulty A. Short message service reminder intervention doubles sexually transmitted/HIV re-testing rates among men who have sex with men. Sex Transm Infect. 2011;87(3):229–31. doi:10.1136/sti.2010.048397.PubMedCrossRef

39.

Juzang I, Fortune T, Black S, Wright E, Bull S. A pilot programme using mobile phones for HIV prevention. J Telemed Telecare. 2011;17(3):150–3. doi:10.1258/jtt.2010.091107.PubMedCrossRef

40.

Reback CJ, Grant DL, Fletcher JB, et al. Text messaging reduces HIV risk behaviors among methamphetamine-using men who have sex with men. AIDS Behav. 2012;16(7):1993–2002. doi:10.1007/s10461-012-0200-7.PubMedCrossRef

41.

Landovitz RJ, Tseng C, Weissman M, et al. Epidemiology, sexual risk behavior, and HIV prevention practices of men who have sex with men using GRINDR in Los Angeles, California. J Urban Health. 2012;90(4):729–39. doi:10.1007/s11524-012-9766-7.CrossRef

42.

Rice E, Holloway IW, Winetrobe H, et al. Sex risk among young men who have sex with men who use Grindr, a smartphone geosocial networking application. J AIDS Clinic Res. 2012;S4:005. doi:10.4172/2155-6113.S4-005.

43.

Grindr LLC. The world’s biggest mobile network of guys. 2013. http://grindr.com/learn-more. Accessed 11 Nov 2013.

44.

Burrell ER, Pines HA, Robbie E, et al. Use of the location-based social networking application GRINDR as a recruitment tool in rectal microbicide development research. AIDS Behav. 2012;16(7):1816–20. doi:10.1007/s10461-012-0277-z.PubMedCentralPubMedCrossRef

45.

Kok G, Harterink P, Vriens P, de Zwart O, Hospers HJ. The gay cruise: developing a theory-and evidence-based Internet HIV-prevention intervention. Sex Res Soc Policy. 2006;3(2):52–67. doi:10.1525/srsp.2006.3.2.52.CrossRef

46.

SPSS Statistics for Windows [computer software]. Version 19. Armonk (NY): IBM; 2010.

47.

Hooper S, Rosser S, Horvath KJ, Oakes JM, Danilenko G. The Men’s INTernet Sex II (MINTS-II) Team. An online needs assessment of a virtual community: what men who use the internet to seek sex with men what in internet-based HIV prevention. AIDS Behav. 2008;12(6):867–75. doi:10.1007/s10461-008-9373-5.PubMedCentralPubMedCrossRef

48.

Muessig KE, Pike EC, Fowler B, et al. Putting prevention in their pockets: developing mobile phone-based HIV interventions for black men who have sex with men. AIDS Patient Care STDs. 2013;27(4):211–22. doi:10.1089/apc.2012.0404.PubMedCrossRef

49.

Smith A. Smart phone ownership. 2013. http://www.pewinternet.org/Reports/2013/Smartphone-Ownership-2013.aspx. Accessed 5 June 2013.

50.

Istepanian RSH, Laxminarayn S, Pattichis CS. M-Health: emerging mobile health systems. Berlin: Springer; 2006.CrossRef

51.

Fox S, Duggan M. Mobile health. 2013. http://www.pewinternet.org/media/Files/Reports/2012/PIP_MobileHealth2012_FINAL.pdf. Accessed 5 June 2013.

52.

Eisenberg A, Bauermeister J, Pingel E, Johns M, Santana M. Achieving safety: safer sex, communication and desire among young gay men. J Adolesc Res. 2011;26(5):645–69. doi:10.1177/0743558411402342.PubMedCentralPubMedCrossRef

53.

Read S, Miller L, Appleby P, et al. Socially optimized learning in a virtual environment: reducing risky sexual behavior among men who have sex with men. Hum Commun Res. 2006;32(1):1–34. doi:10.1111/j.1468-2958.2006.00001.x.CrossRef

54.

National Association for County and City Health Officials. Statement of policy—use of the internet and other technologies for STI/HIV prevention and intervention activities. 2011. http://www.naccho.org/advocacy/positions/upload/11-08-Use-of-the-Internet-for-STI-HIV-Prevention.pdf. Accessed 5 June 2013.

55.

United States Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Population Affairs. Affordable Care Act. 2013. http://www.hhs.gov/opa/affordable-care-act/index.html. Accessed 2 Aug 2013.

56.

Hightow-Weidman LB, Fowler B, Kibe J, et al. HealthMpowerment.org: development of a theory-based HIV/STI website for young black MSM. AIDS Educ Prev. 2011;23(1):1–12. doi:10.1521/aeap.2011.23.1.1.PubMedCentralPubMedCrossRef

Title: Acceptability of Smartphone Application-Based HIV Prevention Among Young Men Who Have Sex With Men
Authors: Ian W. Holloway
Eric Rice
Jeremy Gibbs
Hailey Winetrobe
Shannon Dunlap
Harmony Rhoades
Publication date: 01-02-2014
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: AIDS and Behavior / Issue 2/2014
Print ISSN: 1090-7165
Electronic ISSN: 1573-3254
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-013-0671-1

Live Webinar | 27-06-2024 | 18:00 (CEST)

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Reserve your place

Live: Thursday 27th June 2024, 18:00-19:30 (CEST)

WHO estimates that half of all patients worldwide are non-adherent to their prescribed medication. The consequences of poor adherence can be catastrophic, on both the individual and population level.

Join our expert panel to discover why you need to understand the drivers of non-adherence in your patients, and how you can optimize medication adherence in your clinics to drastically improve patient outcomes.

Prof. Kevin Dolgin

Prof. Florian Limbourg

Prof. Anoop Chauhan

Developed by: Springer Medicine

Obesity Clinical Trial Summary

At a glance: The STEP trials

A round-up of the STEP phase 3 clinical trials evaluating semaglutide for weight loss in people with overweight or obesity.

Developed by: Springer Medicine

Highlights from the ACC 2024 Congress

Year in Review: Pediatric cardiology

Pediatric Cardiology Video

Watch Dr. Anne Marie Valente present the last year's highlights in pediatric and congenital heart disease in the official ACC.24 Year in Review session.

Year in Review: Pulmonary vascular disease

Cardiopulmonary Comorbidity Video

The last year's highlights in pulmonary vascular disease are presented by Dr. Jane Leopold in this official video from ACC.24.

Year in Review: Valvular heart disease

Valvular Heart Disease Video

Watch Prof. William Zoghbi present the last year's highlights in valvular heart disease from the official ACC.24 Year in Review session.

Year in Review: Heart failure and cardiomyopathies

Heart Failure Video

Watch this official video from ACC.24. Dr. Biykem Bozkurt discusses last year's major advances in heart failure and cardiomyopathies.

ACC 2024 Congress Coverage

Year in Review: Heart failure and cardiomyopathies

Heart Failure Video

Watch this official video from ACC.24. Dr. Biykem Bozkurt discusses last year's major advances in heart failure and cardiomyopathies.

Watch now

Semaglutide benefits people with type 2 diabetes and obesity-related heart failure

16-04-2024 Type 2 Diabetes News

Incentivised to exercise

11-04-2024 Lifestyle Modifications News

New intervention for STEMI-related cardiogenic shock

10-04-2024 Myocardial Infarction News

» View more highlights on the ACC 2024 congress hub page

Image Credits

Illustration of figure on mountain summit/© Orapun / Stock.adobe.com, STEP AAG HeroTeaserCollection image/© Tarek / Generated with AI / Stock.adobe.com, ACC 2024 Pediatric and Congenital Heart Disease: Year in Review/© 2024 American College of Cardiology, ACC 2024 Pulmonary Vascular Disease: Year in Review/© 2024 American College of Cardiology, ACC 2024 Valvular Heart Disease: Year in Review/© 2024 American College of Cardiology, ACC 2024 HF and Cardiomyopathies: Year in Review/© 2024 American College of Cardiology, Woman out walking/© Seventyfour / stock.adobe.com (symbolic image with model), Woman checking smartwatch /© saltdium / stock.adobe.com (symbolic image with model), Cardiac catheterization/© Damian / stock.adobe.com

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Please log in to get access to this content

Other articles of this Issue 2/2014

Structural Bridging Network Position is Associated with HIV Status in a Younger Black Men Who Have Sex with Men Epidemic

Geographical Clustering of High Risk Sexual Behaviors in “Hot-Spots” for HIV and Sexually Transmitted Infections in Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa

High Percentage of Recent HIV Infection Leading to Onward Transmission in Odessa, Ukraine Associated with Young Adults

How Acceptable are Antiretrovirals for the Prevention of Sexually Transmitted HIV?: A Review of Research on the Acceptability of Oral Pre-exposure Prophylaxis and Treatment as Prevention

The Impact of a National Poverty Reduction Program on the Characteristics of Sex Partners Among Kenyan Adolescents

Could FDA Approval of Pre-exposure Prophylaxis Make a Difference? A Qualitative Study of PrEP Acceptability and FDA Perceptions Among Men Who Have Sex with Men

Live: Thursday 27th June 2024, 18:00-19:30 (CEST)

Highlights from the ACC 2024 Congress

ACC 2024 Congress Coverage