Effect of a web drama video series on HIV and other sexually transmitted infection testing among gay, bisexual and queer men: study protocol for a community-based, pragmatic randomised controlled trial in Singapore: the People Like Us (PLU) Evaluation Study.
Rayner Kay Jin Tan, Wee Ling Koh, Daniel Le, Avin Tan, Adrian Tyler, Calvin Tan, Sumita Banerjee, Chen Seong Wong, Mee-Lian Wong, Martin Tze-Wei Chio, Mark I-Cheng Chen
Author Information
Rayner Kay Jin Tan: Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore and National University Health System, Singapore rayner.tan@u.nus.edu. ORCID
Wee Ling Koh: Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore and National University Health System, Singapore.
Daniel Le: Action for AIDS Singapore, Singapore.
Avin Tan: Action for AIDS Singapore, Singapore.
Adrian Tyler: Action for AIDS Singapore, Singapore.
Calvin Tan: Action for AIDS Singapore, Singapore.
Sumita Banerjee: Action for AIDS Singapore, Singapore.
Chen Seong Wong: National Centre for Infectious Diseases, Singapore.
Mee-Lian Wong: Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore and National University Health System, Singapore.
Martin Tze-Wei Chio: Department of STI Control (DSC) Clinic, National Skin Centre, Singapore.
Mark I-Cheng Chen: Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore and National University Health System, Singapore.
INTRODUCTION: Gay, bisexual and queer (GBQ) men are at disproportionately higher risk of acquiring HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STI). While HIV/STI testing rates among GBQ men are increasing worldwide, they remain suboptimal in a variety of settings. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: The study is a pragmatic randomised controlled trial designed to evaluate an online video series developed by a community-based organisation in Singapore for GBQ men. A total of 300 HIV-negative GBQ men in Singapore aged 18-29 years old will be recruited for this study. Participants will subsequently be randomised into the intervention arm (n=150) and the control arm (n=150). The intervention arm (n=150) will be assigned the intervention along with sexual health information via a pamphlet, while the control group (n=150) will be assigned only the sexual health information via a pamphlet. Participants should also not have watched the video prior to their participation in this study, which will be ascertained through a questionnaire. Primary outcomes for this evaluation are changes in self-reported intention to test for, actual testing for and regularity of testing for HIV, syphilis, chlamydia and gonorrhoea at the 3 and 6 months after intervention. Secondary outcomes include changes in self-reported risk perception for HIV and other STIs, knowledge of HIV, knowledge of risks associated with acquiring STIs, knowledge of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis, consistent condom use for anal sex with casual partners, incidence of STIs, connectedness to the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community, self-concealment of sexual orientation, perceived homophobia, internalised homophobia, HIV testing self-efficacy and HIV testing social norms. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The study has been approved by the National University of Singapore Institutional Review Board (S-19-059) and registered at ClinicalTrials.gov. The results will be published in peer-reviewed academic journals and disseminated to community-based organisations and policymakers. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT04021953.
