Current Projects
GC 2.0
Linking YMSM to adequate care through a multi-level tailored web app intervention.
GC 2.0 is an online intervention that aims to link young men who have sex with men (YMSM) to high quality, culturally competent HIV/STI testing and screening sites through a dedicated web app. Originally developed for the Metro Detroit area, GC 2.0 is a two-arm prospective randomized controlled trial (RCT) currently ongoing in Philadelphia, Atlanta, and Houston.
Additionally, GC 2.0 used a novel youth-driven mystery shopping approach to assess YMSM's experiences at HIV testing sites in Philadelphia, Atlanta, and Houston.
GC 2.0 is part of iTech, a research network that aims to lower the burden of HIV infection by developing and evaluating innovative, interdisciplinary research on technology-based interventions across the HIV prevention and care continuum for at-risk or infected youth aged 15-24 years in the United States.
Goals
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To test the efficacy of an e-Health intervention for increasing HIV-negative or HIV-unknown YMSM's successful uptake of HIV prevention services (e.g. routine HIV/STI testing) and PrEP awareness and willingness, as compared to the attention-control condition over 12-month period.
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To examine the quality of HIV test counseling and PrEP-related referrals to YMSM within local HIV/STI testing sites in three cities (Philadelphia, Atlanta, and Houston) through the use of mystery shoppers.
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Qualitatively assess testing sites' satisfaction with the biannual site reports and their improvements in service delivery when working with YMSM across the three regions