The proposed study will involve adolescent (17-24 years old) men who have sex with men (described as YMSM hereafter) who meet eligibility criteria to participate. Prospective study candidates will receive a copy of the IRB-approved informed consent forms and, if they choose to participate, will provide consent before enrollment into this study. Involvement of human subjects is detailed in the Research Strategy portion of this proposal, Recruitment and Retention Plan, and Protection of Human Subjects sections. Briefly, investigators will develop and pilot a randomized controlled trial (RCT) to support HIV self-testing (HIVST) and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) uptake. Intervention content will be focused on constructs of the Information-Motivation-Behavioral Skills (IMB) model. To reduce cost and increase feasibility, investigators plan to incorporate previously developed content as much as possible-investigators see integration of this content as a major strength. Investigators will include content about HIV testing and PrEP and other resources including the geo-targeted directories to find clinic settings that offer HIV testing and PrEP, all of which are publicly available. Investigators believe our approach of guiding YMSM through intervention modules based on theory will help improve content retention/use and ultimately influence constructs posited to result in behavior change. Investigators foresee using multiple forms of attention-matched material, media, and programming to engage (and retain engagement) of YMSM throughout the intervention. Intervention content was developed on feedback from focus groups, survey results, youth advisory board feedback, and usability testing. Primary endpoints of this study include HIVST and PrEP uptake, including stage of change towards HIVST and PrEP uptake. Secondary outcomes include changes in IMB model indicators (e.g., HIV prevention knowledge).

The research activity designated as a clinical trial is our pilot RCT where investigators will then enroll 120 YMSM and randomly assign individuals to one of two experimental groups: (1) information-only (I), and (2) information + motivation + behavioral skills (IMB). Randomization will be blinded using Qualtrics, and randomization will occur in a ratio of 1:1 between the two groups. Individuals assigned to group 1 will receive attention-matched information-only content about HIVST and PrEP related information. Intervention content will be based upon the formative research. After completion of the baseline survey, randomization, and intervention, participants will be followed for a period of three months. Individuals will be surveyed at 1- and 3-months post intervention to assess our primary endpoints of HIVST and PrEP uptake. Preliminary impact will be assessed using within- and between-subjects analyses. First, investigators will test the performance of randomization by chi-squared comparisons and ANOVAs for categorical and continuous variables, respectively. Second, investigators will test for differential attrition by treatment group at 1- and 3-month follow-up assessments. Third, investigators will assess post-intervention HIV testing and PrEP uptake using factorial logistic regressions to determine between-group differences, adjusting for any breakdowns in randomization or differential attrition. Fourth, investigators will test for changes in stage of change indicators by randomized group, time, and group*time interaction, with similar adjustment procedures, using GEE; this analysis will help us determine a trend towards HIVST or PrEP uptake were investigators to extend the length of follow-up. Power: Our study has 80% power to detect a ½ stage average difference (d = 0.68; α = 0.05) on the PrEP cascade comparing the three experimental groups combined to the information-only control assuming 80% retention. As the purpose of this study is to pilot the RCT, investigators have not powered this study to determine differences between the experimental group compared to the control group (which is planned for the full RCT in a future R01). Finally, investigators will conduct within-subjects tests comparing baseline and follow-up IMB construct scale scores stratified by group as an evaluation of internal validity (i.e., did the interventions have an effect on the targeted constructs?).

Inclusion Criteria:

1. 17-24 years old;

2. Individuals who self-identify as male (including transgender men) and report any male sexual partners in the past 6 months;

3. Resident of the US based on home address;

4. HIV-negative or unknown status based on self-report; and

5. Self-reported risk for HIV (based on CDC criteria for PrEP use) defined as reporting any of the following in the past six months:

   1. Bacterial STI
   2. Condomless anal sex (CAS) with a casual male sexual partner
   3. CAS with an HIV-positive or unknown status main partner
   4. CAS with an HIV-negative main partner who reports CAS with other male partners.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Current PrEP use;
2. Unstable, serious psychiatric symptoms;
3. Currently suicidal/homicidal; and
4. Evidence of gross cognitive impairment.

Datasets will be deposited in the NIMH Data Archive (NDA)

Approximately available by December 31, 2027 aligned with results publishing; available indefinitely.

Data will be findable for the research community through the NIH Data Archive (NDA) Collection

From enrollment until end of follow-up, up to 3 months

Participants were not monitored for death given the short duration of the study

The comparison/control condition was attention-matched with content aligned with the content provided in the experimental condition but limited to information-only constructs; thus, the effect size of the experimental group is likely to be much higher compared to a non-intervention control condition. Primary outcomes were also assessed by self-report, which is subject to social desirability bias.