A mobile app to help rural gay and bisexual men get tested for HIV and STIs
Official title: Evaluating the effectiveness of a mobile HIV prevention app to increase HIV and STI testing and PrEP initiation among rural men who have sex with men
Funded at Emory University · NIH-11078249 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a mobile app called Combine to help gay and bisexual men in rural southern areas get more HIV and STI tests by making it easier to find testing options and learn about prevention, all while addressing the challenges they face.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Emory University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Atlanta, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2023 |
| Project end | April 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $604,621 |
| NIH project number | 5R01MH134267-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11078249 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are rural gay and bisexual men who are at risk for HIV and STIs and may benefit from increased testing and preventive services.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not identify as gay or bisexual men or those who are not at risk for HIV and STIs may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on increasing HIV and STI testing among gay and bisexual men who have sex with men (GBMSM) in rural areas of the southern United States. It utilizes a mobile app called Combine, which has been tailored to address the unique challenges faced by this population, such as stigma and limited access to healthcare. The app provides self-assessments, testing plans, and information about PrEP, along with locators for testing providers. The effectiveness of the app will be evaluated through a randomized controlled trial over a 24-month period.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve access to HIV and STI testing and preventive services for rural gay and bisexual men.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success with app-based interventions for HIV prevention in urban settings, but this approach is novel for rural populations.
Where this research is happening
-
Emory University
Atlanta, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Jones, Jeb — Emory University
- Study coordinator: Jones, Jeb
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Harnessing male peer networks to boost HIV testing and PrEP use
A large clinical trial in South Africa tests whether giving HIV self-test kits through male peer networks, with phone support, increases PrEP uptake among men.
-
Harnessing men's peer networks to boost HIV self-testing and PrEP use
A large project in South Africa tests whether giving HIV self-test kits through men’s social networks, with phone support, can lead to more men starting PrEP and using HIV testing.
-
TB PrEP: Bringing HIV prevention to households affected by TB in Uganda
Aims to help people in households with TB in Uganda access HIV PrEP as part of a combined prevention approach.
-
How choosing PrEP products could improve HIV protection for young women in Kenya
This project looks at which HIV-prevention options young Kenyan women prefer and how choosing a product affects how well they stay protected.
-
Effectiveness of PrEP product choice for HIV prevention among young Kenyan women seeking reproductive health services
A study tests which PrEP options best help young Kenyan women stay protected against HIV when they access reproductive health services.
-
Nurse-led group program to boost PrEP use for women at risk of HIV
A nurse-developed, three-session group program helps women in midwestern cities start and stay on PrEP to prevent HIV.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.