Making PrEP Smart: An HIV Testing and PrEP Electronic Support Tool ("SmartPrEP" App) for Women on PrEP

Making PrEP Smart: An HIV Testing and PrEP Electronic Support Tool ("SmartPrEP" App) for Women on PrEP

Primary Objective: To assess PrEP adherence among sexually-active and/or injection-drug using, HIV-negative cis- and transgender women who use the "SmartPrEP" phone app to support PrEP adherence during a 12-month period of observation.

Secondary Objective: To assess the acceptability of using the SmartPrEP app to support HIV self-testing and partner testing among sexually active and/or injection-drug using, HIV-negative cisgender and transgender women on PrEP.

Exploratory Objectives: To describe patterns of PrEP adherence and user feedback on acceptability, utility, and features of the app; To assess correlations between self-reported sexual behavior and PrEP adherence; To assess patterns of HIV testing (self and partner testing), self-reported reasons for HIV testing, and correlations with test results.

The purpose of this study is to understand if a smartphone app, SmartPrEP, will help promote HIV self-testing and PrEP adherence among cisgender and transgender women over a twelve-month period. As part of this, participants will be required to download the SmartPrEP app and participate in six study visits starting at enrollment, Month 1, Month 3, Month 6, Month 9, and Month 12. Most visits will take place at the Bronx Prevention Center and include adherence counseling, app acceptability assessments, behavioral risk assessments, and STI/HIV testing. App data will be collected which evaluates PrEP adherence, HIV self-testing, and HIV partner testing. Additionally, all participants will be invited to take part in either a focus group discussion (FGD) or an open-ended, in-depth interview (IDI) to elicit their thoughts and preferences regarding the SmartPrEP app acceptability. Interventions consist of (1) smartphone app "SmartPrEP"; (2) PrEP medication.

Inclusion Criteria:

• age 18 years or older (confirmed by ID)
• self-identify as either a cisgender or transgender woman
• eligible for and willing to initiate PrEP or already on PrEP [having initiated PrEP within the last three months per participant self-report]
• documented negative HIV test result at Screening Visit
• Has a mobile phone with a minimum of 3G network with an active cellular plan
• no signs/symptoms of acute HIV infection
• normal renal function (eCrCl of >/= 60 ml/min)
• not taking contraindicated medications
• documented negative hepatitis B virus (HBVAg) status or documented evidence of seroimmunity
• if HCV Ab positive, documented evidence of previous completed treatment, resolution of active HCV infection (i.e. documented negative HCV RNA), or documented evidence of PCP/HCV care provider management/treatment progress
• meets CDC criteria for HIV risk
• willing to complete all required study procedures including the use of Truvada.

Exclusion Criteria:

• age under 18 years;
• HIV-positive status based on documented test results at at Screening or Enrollment Visits;
• any sign or symptom of acute HIV infection at screening or enrollment visit, until HIV status is confirmed negative via HIV RNA PCR testing;
• renal function, eCrCl< 60 mL/min at Screening or Enrollment visit;
• inability to provide informed consent;
• pregnancy or breast-feeding;
• plans to move away from NYC area in the next 12-month period;
• Current use of HIV post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), though participants who wish to transition from PEP to PrEP will be eligible at the completion of PEP
• Continued need for/use of medications with potential for adverse interactions with Truvada (FTC/TDF) or Descovy (TAF/FTC) on a case-by-case basis, i.e., hepatitis C antiviral agents, such as EPCLUSA (sofosbuvir/velpatasvir) or VOSEVI (sofosbuvir/velpatasvir/voxilaprevir); NRTIs, such as didanosine; medications that may decrease renal function (i.e., high-dose or multiple NSAIDS, aminoglycosides; and other medications that may result in compromising a participant's overall health if combined with Truvada, per the discretion of the IOR;
• History of self-reported low adherence to PrEP, based on study team's judgement