A Mobile Phone Game to Prevent HIV Among Young Africans

To evaluate the feasibility of conducting a technology based intervention in a low resource area, the number of eligible individuals who were interested in participating after hearing about the study was examined. Letters were sent to 150 families inviting them to attend an informational meeting and 126 attended a meeting and were assess for eligibility.

The number of days needed to recruit 60 participants.

The number of participants who consented to participate but then later could not be reached prior to completing all study visits.

The number of participants who completed all study visits after providing consent are presented here.

The phone retention rate (phones not lost during the intervention) was assessed by the number of phones returned at the end of the intervention.

Game acceptability was assessed by asking participants how fun playing the game was. The number of participants reporting that the game was "very fun" are presented here.

The value of the game was assessed with several questions regarding how much the participants learned and how useful the information is. The number of participants reporting that they learned a lot, found the information very useful now, and found the information very useful for the future, are presented below.

Personal safety associated with being in possession of the phone was assessed by the post-intervention survey. Phones provided for the intervention were set up so that all other features were blocked and only function the phone could perform was playing the game.

Participants were asked to play the game for at least one hour per day for 16 days. The number of participants who reported playing the game everyday and the number of participants who reported playing the game for an hour or more each time are presented here.

Knowledge measures will be assessed via Yes/No survey questions and will address puberty, HIV, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), pregnancy, condoms, and alcohol and drugs. Knowledge was assessed with 15 items and responses are coded as 0 or 1. Total scores range from 0 to 15, with higher scores indicating increased knowledge. A positive value for the change from baseline score indicates an increase in knowledge from the baseline assessment.

Self-efficacy was assessed via a 3-point Likert scale, and addressed self-efficacy to seek advice about puberty, sex, relationships; to communicate about protected sex; to reject peer, partner and adult pressure to engage in risk behaviors. Self-efficacy was assessed with 9 items which were scored as 0, 0.5 or 1. Total scores ranged from 0 to 9, with higher scores indicating increased self-efficacy. A positive value for the change from baseline score indicates an increase in self-efficacy since the baseline assessment.

Risk assessment was assessed via a 3-point Likert scale, and addressed perceived risk of certain risk situations/behaviors and of contracting HIV. Risk is assessed with 4 items and responses are coded as 0, 0.5 or 1. Total scores range from 0 to 4, with higher scores indicating increased risk assessment. A positive value for the change from baseline score indicates an increase in assessing risky situations as risky.

Behavioral intention was assessed via Yes/No questions. The measure addressed intention to seek advice, to avoid risk situations, and to engage in health protective behaviors. Behavioral intention is assessed with 6 items that are scored as 0 or 1 and total scores range from 0 to 6. Higher scores in indicate more intention to partake in health protective behaviors and a positive value for the change from baseline score indicates a desirable change in intention.

Future orientation was assessed via a single multiple-choice question (Yes/No/Maybe) and addressed perceived locus of control. Response is coded as 0, 0.5, or 1 and higher scores indicate greater understanding of future locus of control. A positive value for the change from baseline score indicates a desirable change in scores.

Perceived social norms were assessed via a 3-point Likert and addressed sex, gender, condoms, and HIV stigma. Social norms were assessed with 6 items that are scored as 0, 0.5, or 1. Total scores range from 0 to 6 with higher scores indicating perception of more desirable social norms. A positive value for the change from baseline scores indicates a desirable change.

Attitudes were assessed via 3-pt Likert survey questions relating to HIV stigma, condoms, sex, gender, and future orientation. Attitudes were assessed with 15 items and responses coded as 0, 0.5, or 1. Total scores ranged from 0 to 15, with higher scores indicating more desirable attitudes. A positive value for the change from baseline score indicates an increase in desirable attitudes.