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. 2022;33(1):301-316.
doi: 10.1353/hpu.2022.0022.

A Qualitative Study to Inform Adaptation of MyPEEPS Mobile for Transmasculine Youth

Ashley Anderson, Alexa Karczmar, Lisa M Kuhns, Robert Garofalo, Asa Radix, Josh Bruce, Cynthia Pearson, D Scott Batey, Rafael Garibay Rodriguez, Rebecca Schnall

A Qualitative Study to Inform Adaptation of MyPEEPS Mobile for Transmasculine Youth

Ashley Anderson et al. J Health Care Poor Underserved. 2022.

Abstract

Our team developed MyPEEPS (Male youth Pursuing Empowerment, Education, and Prevention around Sexuality) Mobile-a health application for young cisgender men who have sex with men to promote health and reduce sexual risk. The current study sought to better understand approaches for adapting MyPEEPS for transmasculine youth.

Methods: Transmasculine youth, ages 13-18 years, who reported attraction to or sex with cisgender men were recruited to participate in focus groups in four major cities in the United States.

Results: Overall, participants found MyPEEPS Mobile to be a useful educational platform for sexual health education. Participants discussed expansions of the MyPEEPS Mobile App to address interpersonal concerns and provision of a holistic approach to health promotion for transmasculine youth. Detailed suggestions for improvement included personalization; transmasculine inclusivity and relatability; expansion of population-specific educational components; and improvements to functionality, images, and graphics.

Conclusions: While MyPEEPS Mobile has educational components, adaptations are needed to address specific needs of TMY and optimize user-centered design for feasibility and efficacy. If tailored to the lives of transmasculine youth, MyPEEPS has the potential to promote HIV preventive behavior.

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