Harnessing the Power of Text Messaging to Reduce HIV Incidence in Adolescent Males Across the United States
SHAG is a text messaging-based HIV prevention program designed for cisgender sexual minority boys and men 13-20 years of age across the United States. Investigators will test it against a control group that receives messages about healthy lifestyle.
• have been assigned male sex at birth and currently have a cisgender identity;
• be aged 13-22 years old;
• have had anal sex in the past 12 months;
• be English-speaking;
• 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;
• have Internet access to complete online surveys;
• 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;
• 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
• not currently enrolled in another HIV prevention program; or
⁃ know anyone already enrolled in the RCT.