BSL_PA in ATN 140 - A Novel Mobile App to Support Linkage to HIV/STI Testing and PrEP for Young Men who have Sex with Men

Baseline survey dataset
Study Description
The LYNX protocol involved qualitative formative work (aim 1), an open technical pilot (aim 2) to refine the LYNX app, and a pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT) to evaluate acceptability, feasibility, and preliminary efficacy (aim 3) of the LYNX app to increase HIV/STI testing and PrEP uptake among HIV-uninfected young sexual minority men (SMM) aged 15-24. Participants were enrolled at two sites in Chicago, IL and Tampa, FL. Aim 1 was conducted over a 6-month period and included 40 participants; data included focus groups and in-depth interviews. Aim 2 was conducted over a 4 month period and included 15 participants; data included an online exit interview, a computer-assisted self-interview (CASI), and app analytics. Aim 3 was conducted over a 9--month period, and included 60 participants randomized 2:1 to either receive LYNX or standard of care; data included CASI, app analytics, case-report form (CRF) data on study implementation, and in-depth interviews in the LYNX arm. In early testing, participants found most parts of the LYNX app easy to use. Participants found the app most useful in helping them track their sexual partners and motivating them to get tested for HIV and STIs. In the larger pilot study, the app was highly acceptable, with almost all participants using the app at least once -- on average, participants used the app 15 times during the 6 month period. Rates of HIV testing were higher in the group receiving the LYNX app compared with a group receiving usual care. Rates of linkage to PrEP services were similar between the groups. HIV-uninfected young men who have sex with men (YMSM) ages 15-24 years, assigned male sex at birth, and male-identified, were enrolled at two study sites in Chicago, IL and Tampa, FL

基线调查数据集

研究概况
LYNX方案包含三项研究内容：目标1为定性形成性研究，目标2为开放性技术试点研究，用于优化LYNX应用程序；目标3为随机对照试验（Randomized Controlled Trial, RCT），旨在评估LYNX应用程序在15-24岁HIV阴性年轻性少数男性（Sexual Minority Men, SMM）中提高人类免疫缺陷病毒（Human Immunodeficiency Virus, HIV）/性传播感染（Sexually Transmitted Infection, STI）检测率及暴露前预防（Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis, PrEP）服用依从性的可接受性、可行性及初步疗效。本研究于美国伊利诺伊州芝加哥市与佛罗里达州坦帕市的两个研究站点招募参与者。

目标1研究为期6个月，共纳入40名参与者，采集的数据包括焦点小组讨论记录与深度访谈资料。
目标2研究为期4个月，共纳入15名参与者，采集的数据包括在线退出访谈、计算机辅助自我访谈（Computer-Assisted Self-Interview, CASI）及应用程序分析数据。
目标3研究为期9个月，共纳入60名参与者，按照2:1的比例随机分配至LYNX应用干预组与常规护理组，采集的数据包括CASI数据、应用程序分析数据、研究实施相关的病例报告表（Case-Report Form, CRF）数据，以及干预组的深度访谈资料。

早期测试结果显示，多数参与者认为LYNX应用的多数功能易于使用，该应用在帮助用户追踪性伴侣以及激励其进行HIV/STI检测方面的实用性最受认可。在大规模试点研究中，该应用的接受度极高，几乎所有参与者均至少使用过一次该应用，平均每名参与者在6个月内使用应用达15次。干预组的HIV检测率高于常规护理组，而两组在PrEP服务转诊率方面无明显差异。

本研究纳入的参与者为出生时被指派为男性性别、自我认同为男性的15-24岁HIV阴性男男性行为者（Young Men Who Have Sex with Men, YMSM），招募地点为伊利诺伊州芝加哥市与佛罗里达州坦帕市的两个研究站点。