TY  - JOUR
AU  - Fontenot, Holly B
AU  - White, Bradley Patrick
AU  - Rosenberger, Joshua G
AU  - Lacasse, Hailee
AU  - Rutirasiri, Chokdee
AU  - Mayer, Kenneth H
AU  - Zimet, Gregory
PY  - 2020
DA  - 2020/11/4
TI  - Mobile App Strategy to Facilitate Human Papillomavirus Vaccination Among Young Men Who Have Sex With Men: Pilot Intervention Study
JO  - J Med Internet Res
SP  - e22878
VL  - 22
IS  - 11
KW  - human papillomavirus
KW  - men who have sex with men
KW  - vaccination
KW  - mobile health tool
KW  - mHealth
AB  - Background: Mobile app-based interventions have been identified as potential facilitators for vaccination among young men who have sex with men (MSM). Objective: This pilot study aimed to test the feasibility of a theoretically informed mobile health (mHealth) tool designed to reduce health disparities and facilitate human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination among a sample of young MSM. Methods: The development of the mHealth tool was guided by previous research, implementation intention theory, and design thinking. We recruited MSM aged 18-26 years through a popular online dating app and linked participants to our mHealth tool, which provided HPV vaccine information and fostered access to care. Results: A total of 42 young MSM participated in this pilot study in Boston, Massachusetts. Participants reported variable HPV knowledge (ie, high knowledge of HPV risk factors and low knowledge of HPV-related cancer risks for men) and positive vaccine beliefs and attitudes. Of those who were either unvaccinated, not up to date, or did not report vaccine status, 23% (8/35) utilized the mHealth tool to obtain HPV vaccination. Participants primarily utilized the tool’s (1) educational components and (2) capabilities facilitating concrete vaccine action plans. Conclusions: We recruited an underserved at-risk population of youth via an online dating app for our mHealth intervention that resulted in in-person health care delivery. This study was limited by enrollment challenges, including low willingness to download the mHealth tool to mobile devices. 
SN  - 1438-8871
UR  - https://www.jmir.org/2020/11/e22878
UR  - https://doi.org/10.2196/22878
UR  - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/33146621
DO  - 10.2196/22878
ID  - info:doi/10.2196/22878
ER  -