Text messaging program for HIV prevention in young men who have sex with men

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

SHAG is a text messaging-based program aimed at preventing HIV among cisgender sexual minority boys and men aged 13-20 in the United States. Participants will receive targeted sexual health advocacy messages, while a control group will receive general healthy lifestyle messages. The program will recruit participants online and assess its effectiveness by measuring HIV incidence, STI testing, and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) uptake. The study aims to leverage technology to engage young individuals in their sexual health.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

1. have been assigned male sex at birth and currently have a cisgender identity;
2. be aged 13-22 years old;
3. have had anal sex in the past 12 months;
4. be English-speaking;
5. exclusively own a cell phone with an unlimited text messaging plan and intend to have the same cell phone number for the next 6 months;
6. have Internet access to complete online surveys;
7. provide informed assent for those under 18, and consent for those 18 years of age and older, including a capacity to consent and a positive self-safety assessment;
8. Willing to take an OraQuick home test to confirm HIV negativity for youth who are 19-20 years of age or 18 years old and graduated high school. If they agree to do the test but do not upload a photo of their result, they will be eligible if they self-report a negative sero-status. Youth 18 years old who have not graduated high school, and 13-17 years of age will be asked to take a home test. If they determine that they cannot do so safely, they will be allowed to self-report their sero-status; and
9. not currently enrolled in another HIV prevention program; or
10. know anyone already enrolled in the RCT.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Being HIV positive

Where it's running

• Center for Innovative Public Health Research
  San Clemente, California, United States Recruiting
• Center for Innovative Public Health Research
  San Clemente, California, United States Recruiting

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.