HIV testing

Game Plan: An app to help users reduce their risk for HIV

Game Plan: An app to help users reduce their risk for HIV

The first app of it’s kind, geared toward gay and bisexual men during the time of HIV testing, was developed. This fully-functional app, called “Game Plan”, provides: 1) specific and personal feedback to users about their level of risk, (2) exercises to help prompt users to reflect on whether their current behavior aligns with other important life goals and values, and for those open to change, (3) exercises to help users understand factors that contribute to risk, and (4) a change planning module.

Many gay/bi men do not test as often as recommended.

Many gay/bi men do not test as often as recommended.

Staying true to our lab, we’ve gathered data on HIV testing habits among men who have sex with men (MSM) in the Northeastern Unites States. We found that racial/ethnic minority MSM, those with a college degree and those who engaged in more recent HIV-risky behavior had higher odds of having tested in the last 12 months. Conversely, the odds of having tested in the last 12 months were lower among those who reported drinking alcohol heavily, when compared with more moderate drinkers, highlighting yet another potential impact of alcohol on HIV outcomes.