San Clemente

Researchers are evaluating SHAG, a text messaging-based HIV prevention program designed for cisgender sexual minority boys and men aged 13 to 20 years across the United States. This program aims to reduce HIV incidence and also looks at its effects on STI testing and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) use. Participants include adolescent males who are at risk and the study compares this intervention against a control group receiving healthy lifestyle messages. The study involves two groups: one receiving the SHAG HIV prevention program and the other receiving a healthy lifestyle control program, both delivered via text messaging over five months. Participants will be recruited primarily online and enrolled digitally. This approach uses mobile technology to engage young men in HIV prevention education and support. Participants will complete online surveys and provide informed consent or assent depending on age. HIV status will be confirmed using an OraQuick home test or self-report as appropriate. Researchers will monitor HIV incidence at 12 months post-intervention and immediately after the intervention. The study also tracks participants' engagement with STI testing and PrEP. The program requires participants to own a cellphone with unlimited texting and have internet access for surveys, with a total participation duration covering the 5-month intervention and follow-up at 12 months.

Researchers are evaluating a gender-inclusive HIV prevention program designed for trans girls and nonbinary youth assigned male at birth, aged 14 to 18 years. The study aims to understand if the intervention influences HIV preventive behavior at the population level and can be quickly and cost-effectively expanded to reach thousands of young people. The program focuses on HIV prevention and related aspects of healthy relationships and gender navigation. The study compares two text messaging-based programs lasting 5 months each. One program, Transcendent Health, provides information, motivation, and behavioral skills about HIV prevention, healthy and unhealthy romantic relationships, and gender-related issues. The other program offers text messages with information about HIV prevention and general healthy adolescent lifestyle topics such as self-esteem. Both interventions are delivered via cell phone text messaging. Participants will be involved in the study for at least 8 months, during which researchers will monitor the number of participants tested for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections following the baseline assessment. Participants will complete online surveys via internet access and must have a cell phone with an unlimited texting plan. The study includes informed assent and phone enrollment with study staff to support participation and data collection.