Abstract
BackgroundMany men who have sex with men (MSM) use apps to connect with and meet other MSM. Given that these apps are often used to arrange sexual encounters, it is possible that apps may be suitable venues for messages and initiatives related to HIV prevention such as those to increase HIV testing rates among this population.ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to assess willingness to use a new app for reminders of when to be tested for HIV infection among a sample of MSM in London who use apps to arrange sexual encounters.MethodsBroadcast advertisements targeted users of a popular social-networking app for MSM in London. Advertisements directed users to a Web-based survey of sexual behaviors and sexual health needs. Willingness to use apps for reminders of when to be tested for HIV was assessed. In addition, participants responded to items assessing recent sexual behaviors, substance use, and demographic characteristics. Exploratory analyses were undertaken to examine differences in willingness to use an app by demographic and behavioral characteristics.ResultsBroadcast advertisements yielded a sample of 169 HIV-negative MSM. Overall, two-thirds (108/169, 63.9%) reported willingness to use an app to remind them when to be tested for HIV. There were no significant differences in willingness to use these apps based on demographic characteristics, but MSM who reported recent binge drinking and recent club drug use more frequently reported willingness to use this app compared to their nonusing counterparts.ConclusionsMSM in this sample are willing to use a new app for HIV testing reminders. Given the high levels of willingness to use them, these types of apps should be developed, evaluated, and made available for this population.
Highlights
men who have sex with men (MSM) in this sample are willing to use a new app for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing reminders
The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) epidemic in the United Kingdom impacts gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (MSM) at a disproportionate rate compared to the general population
Respondents who reported binge drinking (P=.03) and club drug use (P=.04) more frequently reported more willingness to use an app for HIV testing reminders than their nonusing counterparts
Summary
The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) epidemic in the United Kingdom impacts gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (MSM) at a disproportionate rate compared to the general population. MSM are estimated to represent 3.3% of the male population in the United Kingdom but represent between 66.7% and 69.0% of all males living with HIV infection as of 2015 and 73.0% of newly diagnosed HIV infections among males in 2015 [1]. New interventions to increase HIV testing frequency among MSM in the United Kingdom are needed to further identify new cases of HIV infection and effectively link them to treatment and to reduce engagement in risk behaviors by HIV-uninfected and HIV-infected MSM. Many men who have sex with men (MSM) use apps to connect with and meet other MSM Given that these apps are often used to arrange sexual encounters, it is possible that apps may be suitable venues for messages and initiatives related to HIV prevention such as those to increase HIV testing rates among this population
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