Acceptability, Feasibility, and Preliminary Impact of a Web-based, HIV Prevention Toolkit With Cisgender Male Couples in Lima, Peru

Acceptability, Feasibility, and Preliminary Impact of a Web-based, HIV Prevention Toolkit With Cisgender Male Couples in Lima, Peru

This digital couples-based HIV/STI prevention intervention project will determine preliminary efficacy to improve uptake of evidence-based strategies and a tailored prevention plan among cisgender male couples who are in a relationship (defined as greater than 3 months or more).

The project draws on our strong findings from the preliminary work we conducted in Lima. The 3-year project will update and adapt an existing digital health couples-based HIV/STI prevention toolkit intervention that showed promise for reducing couples' HIV risk. The intervention is theoretically grounded in Couples Interdependence Theory for health behavior change. The project is a 6-month pilot randomized control trial with 60 at-risk male couples using a delayed, educational control condition of 3 months. Our Specific Aims are to: 1) Assess feasibility to retain 60 consented and eligible male couples in a 6-month pilot RCT through quantitative measurement of enrollment and retention/attrition rates, and by reason for attrition; 2) Describe acceptability of the adapted toolkit intervention using mixed methods23 from 3 data sources. At last follow-up, partners responses to the Health Information Usability Evaluation Scale24 and other survey items (e.g., 3 things liked best/least about the toolkit, features for improvement) will be captured, along with the additional details they will share about their experiences during the individual-level, qualitative exit interview; 3) Examine preliminary impact of the toolkit intervention on couples': a) formation and adherence to a tailored risk-reduction plan and agreement; b) relationship functioning (e.g., communication); c) use of/adherence to evidence-based HIV/STI prevention strategies; and d) HIV/STI incidence. Preliminary impact will be assessed via changes in couples' outcomes a-d over time between trial arms, and for all couples.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. being assigned male at birth and currently identifying as male (cis-gender);
2. having had anal sex with each other in the past 3 months;
3. referring to each other as being in a relationship, defined as "someone you feel emotionally or romantically committed to above all others, and may be referred to as partner, husband, partner, etc.";
4. being in a relationship with each other for 3 months or longer;
5. being at least 18 years of age;
6. not having any history of intimate partner violence since their relationship began;
7. self-reporting not feeling coerced by their partner to take part in the study activities;
8. having their own Internet/web-connected device (e.g. smartphone, laptop, tablet, computer);
9. living in the Lima metro area and planning to live there for the next 6 months;
10. willing to receive an in-person rapid HIV test (if applicable);
11. willing to be tested for other STIs and use swabs to self-collect their own specimens; and
12. willing to attend an in-person appointment at baseline and at 6 months.

Exclusion Criteria:

-Does not meet one or more of the inclusion criteria