An Evidence-Based Approach to Facilitating PrEP Initiation Among YMSM: The MyPEEPS Plus mHealth and E-Peer Navigation...

Men who have sex with men (MSM) account for nearly 70% of new HIV infections annually. Although awareness of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is growing, uptake remains low among young MSM. Peer navigators are well positioned to guide patients through PrEP care, provide psychosocial support, build trust, and demystify PrEP. Given strong evidence to support mobile health (mHealth) apps for enhancing HIV prevention knowledge, our team created MyPEEPS Plus, a HIV prevention combination intervention of mHealth and an electronic peer (e-peer) navigation program. In this article, we describe development of a remote intervention that incorporates evidence-based strategies including: HIV Incidence Risk Index for Men Who Have Sex With Men (HIRI-MSM); open-ended questions, affirmations, reflective listening, and summarizing (OARS); shared decision making approach; the PrEP Readiness Assessment (PRA); and motivational interviewing (MI) for use in an RCT. By combining digital education with personalized support, MyPEEPS Plus is designed to empower youth and reduce barriers to PrEP initiation and persistence.