An innovative interactive mHealth smartphone app to improve reproductive health outcomes for minority male teens providing medically accurate information for prevention of pregnancy HIV and STIs

Abstract MetaMedia and partner Healthy Teen Network will develop a mobile application aimed at reducing teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections STIs among Latino and African American men aged In the U S teen pregnancy teen births and STIs affect African American and Latino youth in greater proportion compared to other youth A comprehensive literature search revealed that multiple sexual and reproductive health apps exist for adolescents in general however none were found that specifically address the needs of diverse young males And none were evaluated for behavior change During the SBIR Phase study the project team will achieve three aims objectives First it will conduct a five phased qualitative formative study to guide the development of MAPP The formative study will obtain youth suggestions ideas for app content features branding and visual design youth feedback on the readability word language usage and amount and phrasing of the appandapos s text youth feedback on the mechanics educational messages and interest of an interactive game s youth feedback on usability and navigation by conducting a user centered walkthrough of the app and quality assurance feedback from project team staff Second it will develop a mobile app that strategically addresses a prioritized set of determinants of five sexual health behaviors directly related to preventing pregnancy STIs while applying principles and preferences of how young men learn These behaviors include delay the onset of sexual initiation reduce the frequency of sex increase correct and consistent use of condoms increase support to female partners in the correct and consistent use of effective forms of contraception reduce the number of sexual partners concurrent sexual partners and increase visits to health centers for STI testing and treatment And third it will develop an educational and entertaining game that reinforces key behavioral messages presented in MAPP In the SBIR Phase II of the study MAPP will be rigorously evaluated using adequately powered samples In addition a commercialization and marketing plan will be developed to maximize MAPPandapos s commercialization potential and wide dissemination to youth and youth serving professionals MetaMedia a small business with years of experience is a pioneer in adapting emerging technologies to improve learning and performance Healthy Teen Network a national nonprofit organization with years of experience has a proven track record in applying evidence approaches to develop and evaluate teen pregnancy and STI prevention interventions Their organizational missions and experience create an ideal partnership for this project Project Narrative The findings of the MAPP study in SBIR Phase I will increase the sexual and reproductive health SRH fieldandapos s understanding about how to develop an SRH mobile app for young men including technical innovations such as educational and engaging games the effectiveness and satisfaction of the appandapos s methodologies components and aesthetic characteristics specifically designed for African American and Latino young men and their learning styles and the prioritization of psychosocial determinants that are essential in supporting young menandapos s healthy sexual behavior During SBIR Phase II the commercial app will be completed with all content and functionality and the study will rigorously evaluate MAPP and examine if it is effective at changing five sexual behaviors an area of research that is currently not available to the SRH field Findings from the MAPP study will also inform other public health fields interested in developing mobile apps that aim to change health behavior especially among Latino and African American young men