Existing Technology-Based HIV Reduction Campaigns for MSM
HIV practitioners have developed treatments which use the web to get to varied communities, such as people who have gender with guys (32-34). Common within these interventions include features particularly multimedia circumstances and simulations, decision-making with virtual heroes, and in depth answers or comments preceding awareness exams. As an example, Bowen et al. (35) developed and examined the influence of internet HIV prohibition messaging for 475 MSM dealing with remote communities have been hired through online banner ads on popular gay web site. The authorsa€™ input, based on the Information-Motivation-Behavioral expertise (IMBS) unit, contained two lessons, each contains three components: 1) a scripted talk between an HIV-positive gay guy and someone that experienced lately focused on unsafe erectile habits; 2) a scripted chat about newer and laid-back sex-related mate; and 3) a skill-building physical exercise to distinguish chances decrease behaviors while looking for mate both on / off the world wide web. The intervention furthermore consisted of a€?Tell me personally morea€? buttons, which furnished website links to added HIV/AIDS solutions, not to mention printable opinions based on the peoplea€™ feedback. Benefits showed a decrease in anal intercourse and an increase in condom use, and in addition substantial elevates in HIV facts, condom self-efficacy, and outcome expectancies concerning less risky intercourse. Another study, which used an internet videos input made to encourage disclosure of HIV condition among MSM, was actually good at boosting the probability of HIV position disclosure ultimately sexual 
intercourse and lowering the likelihood of sexual intercourse with an informal spouse at follow-up in comparison with base (36). Still another analysis using the internet as a platform for an HIV IMBS input unearthed that the online regimen, which contained issues appraisal and feedback, inspirational practices, and abilities practise, generate additional savings in erectile hazard behaviors with a high possibilities couples compared to a control cluster (37).
Moving phone-based HIV prohibition treatments that incorporate texting sending are also used with some victory with MSM. For example, around australia, MSM just who signed up for a copy message-based input (which engaging reminders for HIV/sexually sent infections (STI) experiment and comprise personalized to participant possibility attitude and capability go back for testing), are over fourfold as inclined to re-test for HIV alongside STIs when compared to individuals that wouldn’t receive the intervention (38). An even more previous pilot study of a text messaging founded HIV deterrence plan for African American YMSM included texts to people that aimed at condom make use of and decreases in sex-related mate, and was designed to build up self-efficacy and intentions for condom use. Results revealed that the input crowd received increased monogamy, higher reproductive health info, and more positive perceptions toward condoms after a 12-week intervention (39). Finally, methamphetamine-using MSM exactly who got a text message intervention aimed at cultural assistance and health training were less likely to need methamphetamine, have got unprotected sexual activity under the influence of methamphetamine, and practice unprotected anal sex with HIV-positive couples than those inside controls team (40).
Geosocial Networking Solutions (a€?appsa€?)
Geosocial media apps (also called a€?cruising appsa€? or a€?hook upwards appsa€?) targeting MSM, instance Grindr, have come forth as a brand new electronic engineering through which YMSM tends to be encounter gender couples (41,42). Created in 2009, Grindr these days reaches around 4 million consumers global (43). The Grindr user interface features a geo-locating ability, that allows individuals for connecting with other close by people. Besides, individuals are capable to review pictures, find out shape facts (for example, era, race/ethnicity, hobbies), and dispatch text messages within the application. Grindr in addition makes it possible for people to show their particular actual physical area on a map contained from the software. Two recent studies of Grindr need among MSM in l . a . need recorded HIV issues among Grindr customers. Research by grain ainsi, al. (42) found out that practically three-quarters employed Grindr to uncover a sex partner. While YMSM with this study are mathematically far more more likely to need a condom with somebody met on Grindr than somebody found through another platform, the 15percent that noted UAI with the finally mate fulfilled on Grindr had statistically considerably more lifetime and present gender couples than YMSM whom didn’t have UAI making use of last Grindr-met companion. Another study by Landovitz ainsi, al. (41) unearthed that sixty percent of Grindr-using MSM used the tool for sex-related partnering and 70per cent of individuals who involved with UAI considered by themselves being at minimal risk of contracting HIV.
Grindr is not necessarily the sole geosocial network application concentrating on YMSM. Indeed, nowadays a great many others have actually chopped awake, including Scuff, Jacka€™d and Manhunt Portable (to name a few). However, Grindr object one of the most well-known geosocial media software among MSM and has now come made use of in 1 case for recruitment into HIV avoidance tests. A research by Burell et al. (44) documented the achievements of using Grindr to enroll MSM in big rectal microbicide trial done in California state. Landovitz ainsi, al. (41) in addition reported that among HIV-positive Grindr owners in their study, 52per cent revealed people could well be able to get involved in another HIV protection trial. These outcome propose that MSM using Grindr are willing to engage HIV deterrence effort through this channel. However, to your understanding, no research reports have come performed that especially look at the acceptability of smartphone app-based HIV prohibition interventions among YMSM.