Improving PrEP adherence for young gay and bisexual men
Official title: RP3 PrEP Choice
Funded at Florida State University · NIH-10993605 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is all about helping young gay and bisexual men, ages 13-24, start and stick with taking PrEP to prevent HIV, using friendly mobile tools like a helpful website, text reminders, and an app, all designed to fit their needs and language.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Florida State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Tallahassee, United States) |
| Project start | January 25, 2023 |
| Project end | November 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $519,623 |
| NIH project number | 5UM2HD111102-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10993605 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for participation are young gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men aged 13-24 years who are at risk for HIV.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not at risk for HIV or who are outside the age range of 13-24 years may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on enhancing the uptake and adherence to pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) among young gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (YGBMSM) aged 13-24 years. It utilizes a combination of mobile health tools, including a website to help users choose the best PrEP regimen, a two-way SMS texting service for weekly check-ins, and an app that reminds users to take their medication. The study aims to assess the effectiveness of these tools in increasing the number of young individuals who start and consistently use PrEP to prevent HIV infection. The research will also ensure that the tools are culturally relevant for both English and Spanish speakers through focus groups.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly increase the number of young individuals effectively using PrEP, thereby reducing new HIV infections in this high-risk population.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success with mobile health interventions for improving medication adherence, making this approach promising yet innovative in the context of PrEP.
Where this research is happening
-
Florida State University
Tallahassee, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hightow-Weidman, Lisa B — Florida State University
- Study coordinator: Hightow-Weidman, Lisa B
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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mChoice: Boosting PrEP Use and Adherence for Black and Latino MSM with Tailored Training and Support
A national study to help Black and Latino men who have sex with men start and stick with PrEP through culturally matched provider training and patient support.
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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.
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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.
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Participatory system dynamics to improve PrEP access in the Bronx
A community-driven project in the Bronx will use system dynamics to identify practical ways to help people at risk for HIV start and stay on PrEP.
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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.
-
CARES: A practical program to help adolescent girls and young women use PrEP in Africa
A program called CARES helps young women in South Africa and Zimbabwe use different PrEP options better, with counseling, reminders, and options for support.
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.