# Theoretically Based Mobile App to Increase PrEP Uptake Among MSM

> **NIH NIH R01** · EMORY UNIVERSITY · 2021 · $869,614

## Abstract

Abstract
Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) holds great promise to reduce susceptibility to HIV infection for those who
are HIV-negative and take PrEP regularly. However, PrEP initiation is serostatus dependent, and starting PrEP
when risk emerges requires men who have sex with men (MSM) to maintain regular HIV testing routines and
regularly assess PrEP eligibility. Currently many MSM do not test for HIV regularly, and PrEP uptake has been
slow. PrEP will not have sufficient impact on HIV incidence among MSM unless it is brought to scale; PrEP
coverage of 40-50% would be required to reduce HIV incidence by 25%. Today, PrEP uptake among MSM
stands at 8.5%. We propose to test the efficacy of a mobile app (HealthMindr) to promote PrEP uptake in 3
US cities with substantial HIV epidemics among MSM: Atlanta, GA, Jackson, MS, and Washington, DC. The
prevention app has already been developed and tested with 121 MSM; 9% of PrEP eligible MSM who used
the app initiated PrEP during a 4-month follow-up period. Further, the app was found to be very
acceptable to MSM. Minor enhancements to the PrEP component of the app will be made, including addition of
additional PrEP information. The app will include components for self-administered risk assessments,
developing and supporting a plan for frequent HIV testing, and monthly self-assessment for pre-exposure
prophylaxis (PrEP) eligibility. The app will link those eligible for PrEP to services with a locator for PrEP
providers, including private providers and details about services available, and with public PrEP navigators.
The app will be tested in an RCT versus standard of care (referral to existing PrEP information and resources)
in the three cities. The primary outcome will be rate of PrEP initiation, confirmed by tenofovir-diphosphate
detection in a dried blood spot (DBS) specimen and/or photographic evidence of PrEP prescription.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10168489
- **Project number:** 5R01DA045612-05
- **Recipient organization:** EMORY UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Patrick Sean Sullivan
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $869,614
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2017-08-15 → 2024-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10168489

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10168489, Theoretically Based Mobile App to Increase PrEP Uptake Among MSM (5R01DA045612-05). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-21 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10168489. Licensed CC0.

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