Implementation and Evaluation of PrEPmate: An evidence-based short message service/text-based PrEP intervention for YMSM and Transgender women of color

The purpose of this NOFO is to implement and evaluate PrEPmate, a mobile health (mHealth) intervention to increase HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) adherence and retention in PrEP care among young men who have sex with men (collectively referred to as YMSM) and transgender women of color. PrEPmate features youth-tailored interactive content, reminders (e.g., clinic appointments, prescription refills, and dosing reminders), short message service (SMS) for PrEP clinic patients and clinical providers, and a dashboard that may be integrated into electronic medical records (EMR) or as a stand-alone digital patient monitoring system. The recipient will facilitate implementation of the PrEPmate intervention at three clinical sites located in the southern region of the United States, where there is increased HIV disease burden. The recipient will monitor and evaluate how a mHealth intervention is integrated into the delivery of clinical services to improve PrEP adherence and retention in care. Evaluation will be conducted using a mixed-method approach involving EMR reviews and interviews with agency staff that implement PrEPmate. The project's primary outcomes include increased PrEP medication adherence and retention in PrEP care among patients and increased adaptability and sustainability among clinical providers. A secondary outcome will be the identification of best practices and lessons learned for implementing PrEPmate in clinics serving YMSM and transgender women of color.