LYNX: A Novel Mobile App to Support Linkage to HIV/STI Testing PrEP for Young Men Who Have Sex With Men

LYNX: A Novel Mobile App to Support Linkage to HIV/STI Testing and Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) for Young Men Who Have Sex With Men

This study is testing the acceptability and feasibility of a highly interactive mobile application (app) to promote HIV/sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing and uptake of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) among young men who have sex with men (YMSM).

Using the Information-Motivation-Behavior Skills (IMB) model, we have developed LYNX, a highly interactive mobile app to promote accurate risk perception and increase HIV/STI testing and linkage to PrEP among young men who have sex with men (YMSM). Key components of the app include Sex Pro (a personalized HIV risk score), a sex diary to facilitate accurate data collection; HIV/STI testing information and reminders; access to home HIV/STI testing options; a geospatial-based locator of HIV/STI testing sites and PrEP clinics; PrEP information and videos; and online PrEP navigation.

This study is part of the iTech NIH U19, which has an overall goal to develop innovative technology-focused interventions addressing the HIV prevention and care continuum for youth.

Inclusion Criteria:

• No HIV test in the past 3 months (self-reported).

• Not known to be HIV-infected (self-reported).

• Not currently taking PrEP (self-reported).

• Owns an Apple operating system (iOS) or Android mobile phone and willing and able to download the LYNX app onto their phone.

• Willing and able to attend an in-person baseline visit in the Tampa or Chicago area.

• Able to understand, read, and speak English.

• Participants ages 15-18: self-report at least one episode of anal intercourse with a male or transfemale partner during the last 6 months

• Participants ages 19-24: self-report evidence of high risk for acquiring HIV infection including at least one of the following:

  1. at least one episode of condomless anal sex with an HIV-positive or unknown HIV status male or transfemale partner during the last 6 months; or
  2. Anal sex with 2 or more male and/or transfemale partners during the last 6 months; or
  3. Exchange of money, gifts, shelter, or drugs for anal sex with a male or transfemale partner during the last 6 months; or
  4. Sex with a male or transfemale partner and has had an STI during the last 6 months.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Currently enrolled in another HIV intervention study
• Prior enrollment in an HIV vaccine trial with receipt of experimental vaccine product
• Enrollment in an earlier phase of LYNX study
• Any medical, psychiatric, or social condition or other responsibilities that, in the judgment of the investigator, would make participation in the study unsafe, complicate interpretation of study outcome data, or otherwise interfere with achieving the study objectives.