The Impact of a Mobile Gaming Intervention to Increase Adherence to Pre-exposure Prophylaxis

AIDS Behav. 2021 Jun;25(6):1884-1889. doi: 10.1007/s10461-020-03118-3. Epub 2021 Jan 22.

Abstract

Pre-exposure prophylaxis is effective in preventing HIV, but data show that its effectiveness is compromised by suboptimal adherence. This randomized controlled trial (n = 69) tested the impact of an iPhone game, Viral Combat, on PrEP adherence over 24 weeks. Tenofovir-diphosphate in red blood cells was collected as a biological outcome of adherence. At 24-weeks, intervention participants were 3.75 (95% CI: 1.20-11.77; p = 0.02) times as likely to engage in optimal PrEP dosing compared to controls. Viral Combat showed preliminary efficacy in improving PrEP adherence for diverse young men who have sex with men.

Keywords: Adherence; Men who have sex with men (MSM); Mobile technology intervention; Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP).

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Anti-HIV Agents* / therapeutic use
  • HIV Infections* / drug therapy
  • HIV Infections* / prevention & control
  • Homosexuality, Male
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Medication Adherence
  • Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis*
  • Sexual and Gender Minorities*
  • Tenofovir
  • Video Games*

Substances

  • Anti-HIV Agents
  • Tenofovir