Evaluating the Effectiveness of a Mobile HIV Prevention App to Increase HIV and Sexually Transmitted Infection Testing and Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis Initiation Among Rural Men Who Have Sex With Men in the Southern United States: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial

TL;DR

This study tests a mobile app to increase HIV and STI testing and PrEP use among rural gay and bisexual men in the US South.

Contribution

The study evaluates a mobile app with optional self-test kits and motivational interviews to improve HIV prevention in rural areas.

Findings

The Combine app is being tested to increase HIV and STI testing among rural men who have sex with men.

The trial includes adjunct interventions like free self-test kits and motivational interviews to enhance app effectiveness.

Recruitment is ongoing with 395 participants enrolled as of July 2025.

Abstract

Gay and bisexual men who have sex with men (MSM) in the rural United States are less likely to test for HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and use pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) compared to urban MSM. Given the challenges in building brick-and-mortar facilities serving the sexual health needs of MSM in rural communities, there is a need to evaluate digital engagement strategies. Combine is a smartphone app designed to provide HIV prevention information and resources to MSM that may be particularly well suited to support rural MSM. HealthMindr, an app from which Combine is adapted, has previously been shown to increase HIV testing and PrEP uptake among urban MSM. Because rural MSM face additional barriers to accessing HIV prevention services, a motivational interview (MI) focused on HIV prevention strategies might enhance the effectiveness of Combine to increase uptake of HIV testing, STI testing, and PrEP.

This study aims to determine the effectiveness of the Combine app to increase HIV testing, STI testing, and PrEP initiation among rural cisgender MSM. We will also assess the effectiveness of 2 adjunctive interventions: the availability of free HIV and STI self-test kits and the offering of an MI.

In this type 2 hybrid effectiveness-implementation randomized controlled trial, we will assess the effectiveness of Combine to increase HIV testing, STI testing, and PrEP initiation among rural MSM across the Southern United States. A total of 464 men will be recruited and randomized to 1 of the 4 arms. Participants in all 4 arms will have access to most app features (eg, health resources, quizzes, health care provider locators, and ordering free condoms and lubricants). Using a 2×2 factorial design, half (232/464, 50%) of the participants will be randomized to receive access to free at-home HIV and STI self-test kits and half (232/464, 50%) will be randomized to receive an MI. Participants will complete surveys every 6 months to allow for assessment of self-reported outcomes: app use, HIV testing, STI testing, and PrEP initiation over the 24-month follow-up period. Self-reported PrEP uptake will be verified by dried blood spot testing or uploading a photograph of a PrEP prescription.

Participant recruitment began in March 2024. As of July 2025, 395 participants have been enrolled and randomized. Recruitment is expected to be completed by December 2025.

This trial will determine whether the Combine app increases HIV testing, STI testing, and PrEP uptake among rural MSM in the Southern United States. It will also provide critical information about the most effective strategies for implementing digital health interventions for rural MSM.

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT06205368; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06205368

DERR1-10.2196/69540

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