Feasibility, Acceptability, and Process Indicators for Guy2Guy, an mHealth HIV Prevention Program for Sexual Minority Adolescent Boys

Purpose: Guy2Guy is one of the first mHealth HIV prevention programs for sexual minority boys aged 14–18 years, evaluated nationally. Here, we examine the program's feasibility and acceptability and explore participants' feedback about program content and components intended to invigorate program engagement. Methods: Guy2Guy was tested in a randomized controlled trial of 302 youth assigned to either the intervention or an attention-matched control group. At 3-month follow-up, participants completed a survey that included questions about feasibility and acceptability. Focus groups were conducted with a subset of intervention participants (n = 45) to further understand their program experience. Results: The protocol and program appeared to be feasible: 94% completed the 3-month follow-up survey. The intervention also appeared to be acceptable: 93% of intervention participants said they somewhat or strongly agreed that they liked the program. Although ∼20% boys agreed that the program sent too many messages, only 10% said they stopped reading the messages by the end. Focus group participants were largely enthusiastic about program content and generally appreciated receiving information and skills-building messages that talked about HIV risk reduction. Some indicated a desire for more content that addressed condom negotiation. Program engagement components, particularly the weekly “level up” quiz, also were generally well received. Conclusions: Sexual minority boys are willing to engage in Guy2Guy, an intensive, multiweek sexual health intervention via text messaging, and most would recommend the program to their friends.