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Completed

NCT Number: NCT04917575

Efficacy Trial of Life Simulation Game to Routinize Adolescent HIV Testing

This study will aim to assess the acceptability, usability and efficacy of using state-of-the-art video game technology to increase HIV testing among adolescents and young adults (AYA) ages 13-24. AYA often lack awareness of their personal risk of contracting HIV and where to go for testing and care. This lack of awareness has contributed to poor uptake of HIV testing among AYA despite engagement in high risk behaviors. The goal of this project is to harness this strong motivation to play games to increase HIV testing. Previous games for behavior change have yielded early success for increasing target behaviors among their sample populations, yet research on increasing HIV testing among AYA through gaming has been limited. This intervention builds on prior formative work and is designed to offer AYA personally-tailored risk messages and supports their accessibility to HIV testing and prevention services through an innovative gaming approach that is sharable over social media with in-game rewards for sharing the game with peers. The specific aim of this study is to determine the efficacy of a life-simulation game in changing HIV testing, knowledge, and risk behaviors among AYA at risk for HIV.

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Key information

Conditions

HIV Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome Blood-Borne Infections Communicable Diseases Genital Diseases HIV Infections Immune System Diseases Immunologic Deficiency Syndromes Infections Lentivirus Infections RNA Virus Infections Retroviridae Infections Sexually Transmitted Diseases Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Viral Slow Virus Diseases Urogenital Diseases Virus Diseases

Age range

13 year–24 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

George Washington University Milken School of Public Health

Washington D.C., District of Columbia, 20052, United States

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • age 13-24
  • self-reported HIV negative or unknown status
  • self-reported ever sexually active
  • resident of the DC metropolitan region which includes the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia for at least the next 6 months
  • Is able to provide informed consent or assent
  • able to complete all study procedures in English
  • has own mobile phones and be willing to use them for the study.

Treatment and study plan

Mobile Game

Other

An enhanced life-simulation prototype of a playable interactive game to increase HIV testing.

Mobile application

Other

A mobile application that will include basic information on HIV basics (e.g., routes of transmission, data on the epidemiology of HIV among youth), prevention information, and information on HIV testing and PrEP, as well as a link to the HIV risk estimator, and HIV testing and PrEP locators.

Primary outcomes

  1. HIV testing

    Time frame: prior 6 months

    Self-reported HIV testing in the past 6 months

Secondary outcomes

  1. Intent to test for HIV

    Time frame: baseline, 1, 3, 6 months

    Intent to test will be assessed using a validated 6-point Likert scale

  2. HIV knowledge

    Time frame: baseline, 1, 3, 6 months

    18-item scale

  3. HIV risk perception and behaviors

    Time frame: baseline, 1, 3, 6 months

    8-item scale and perceived likelihood of getting infected (0-100%)

  4. Knowledge of PrEP

    Time frame: baseline, 1, 3, 6 months

    Has participant heard of PrEP at specified time period

  5. CDC risk estimator scores

    Time frame: baseline, 1, 3, 6 months

  6. Frequency of game use

    Time frame: 1, 3, 6 months

  7. PrEP screening

    Time frame: baseline, 1, 3, 6 months

    ever been screened for PrEP eligibility

  8. PrEP use/uptake

    Time frame: baseline, 1, 3, 6 months

    been prescribed/taken PrEP

  9. PrEP locator use

    Time frame: baseline, 1, 3, 6 months

    Number of linkages to PrEP locator

  10. Duration of game use

    Time frame: 1, 3, 6 months

  11. Reasons for continued or discontinued use of game

    Time frame: 1, 3, 6 months

  12. HIV locator use

    Time frame: baseline, 1, 3, 6 months

    Number of linkage to HIV testing locator

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

George Washington University

Other

Collaborators

  • Media Rez

Registry information

Important dates

Study start
2021
Primary completion
2024
Study completion
2024
First posted
Jun 8, 2021
Registry last updated
Aug 13, 2025

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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