Publications — iTech – UNC/Emory Center for Innovative Technology

The iTech produces a wide range of research, education and training publications and presentations. Please check back regularly for updates.

2021 Publications

Biello K, Hill-Rorie J, Valente PK, Futterman D, Sullivan P, Hightow-Weidman L, Muessig K, Dormitzer J, Mimiaga MJ, Mayer KH, on behalf of the iTech team. Development and evaluation of a mobile app designed to increase HIV testing and PrEP use among U.S. young men who have sex with men: An open pilot trial. Journal of Medical Internet Research. 24 March 2021. doi: 10.2196/25107
Stephenson R, Darbes LA, Rosso MT, Washington C, Hightow-Weidman LB, Sullivan PS, and Gamarel KE. Perceptions and contexts of intimate partner violence among young, partnered gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men in the United States. Journal of Interpersonal Violence. 17 March 2021. https://doi.org/10.1177/08862605211001472
Teixeria da Silva D, Biello K, Lin WY, Valente PK, Mayer KH, Hightow-Weidman LB, Bauermeister JA. COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptance among an Online Sample of Sexual and Gender Minority Men and Transgender Women. MDPI. 01 March 2021. https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines9030204
Mayer KH, Nelson L, Hightow-Weidman LB, Mimiaga MJ, Mena L, Reisner S, et al. The persistent and evolving HIV epidemic in American men who have sex with men. The Lancet. 18 February 2021. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(21)00321-4

2020 Publications

Hightow-Weidman LB. Introduction to series on technology-based HIV prevention and care interventions for youth. mHealth. 2020. doi: 10.21037/mhealth-2019-tihpcc-12
Hightow-Weidman LB, Horvath KJ, Scott H, Hill-Rorie J, Bauermeister JA. Engaging youth in mHealth: what works and how can we be sure? mHealth. 2020. doi: 10.21037/mhealth-20-48
Skeen SJ, Cain D, Gamarel KE, Hightow-Weidman LB, Reback CJ. mHealth for transgender and gender-expansive youth: harnessing gender-affirmative cross-disciplinary innovations to advance HIV prevention and care interventions. mHealth. doi: 10.21037/mhealth-20-60
Giovenco D, Muessig KE, Horvitz C, Biello KB, Liu AY, Horvath KJ, Golinkoff JM, Reback CJ, Hightow-Weidman LB. Adapting technology-based HIV prevention and care interventions for youth: lessons learned across five U.S. Adolescent Trials Network studies. mHealth. 2020. doi: 10.21037/mhealth-20-43
Sullivan PS, Hightow-Weidman LB. Mobile apps for HIV prevention: how do they contribute to our epidemic response for adolescents and young adults? mHealth. 2020. doi: 10.21037/mhealth-20-71
Allan-Blitz LT, Mena LA, Mayer KH. The ongoing HIV epidemic in American youth: challenges and opportunities. mHealth. 2020. doi: 10.21037/mhealth-20-42
Gamarel KE, Darbes LA, Kutsa O, Hightow-Weidman LB, Sullivan P, Stephenson R. Perspectives from young partnered gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men on the adaptation of Couples HIV Testing and Counseling. AIDS and Behavior. 25 Sept 2020.
Liu A, Biello K, Zlotorzynska M. HIV self-testing and STI self-collection via mobile apps: experiences from two pilot randomized controlled trials of young men who have sex with men. mHealth. July 15, 2020. doi: 10.21037/mhealth-20-70
Reback CJ, Horvath KJ, Rusow JA, Cain D, Benkeser D. Technology-based Stepped Care to Stem Transgender Adolescent Risk Transmission: Study Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial. JMIR Res Protoc. 2020 | vol. 9 | iss. 8 | e18326. doi: 10.2196/18326
Siegler A, Scott H, Bauermeister JA, Knox B, Hightow-Weidman LB. Mobile app development in health research: Pitfalls and solutions. mHealth. 2020. doi: 10.21037/mhealth-19-263
Stephenson R, Chavanduka TMD, Rosso MT, Sullivan SP, Pitter RA, Hunter AS, Rogers E. Sex in the Time of COVID‑19: Results of an Online Survey of Gay, Bisexual and Other Men Who Have Sex with Men’s Experience of Sex and HIV Prevention During the US COVID‑19 Epidemic. AIDS and Behavior. 02 September 2020. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-020-03024-8
Zlotorzynska M, Bauermeister JA, Golinkoff JM, Lin W, Sanchez T, Hightow-Weidman LB. Online recruitment of youth for mHealth studies. mHealth. 06/12/2020. doi: 10.21037/mhealth-20-64
Horvath KJ, Walker T, Mireles L, Bauermeister JA, Hightow-Weidman LB, Stephenson R. A Systematic Review of Technology-Assisted HIV Testing Interventions. Current HIV/AIDS Reports. June 08, 2020.
Mulawa M, Rosengren L, Amico R, Hightow-Weidman LB, Muessig K. mHealth to reduce HIV-related stigma among youth in the United States: a scoping review. mHealth. May 2020. doi: 10.21037/mhealth-20-68
Gamarel K, Stephenson R, Hightow-Weidman LB. Technology-driven methodologies to collect qualitative data among youth to inform HIV prevention and care interventions. mHealth. May 2020. doi: 10.21037/mhealth-20-51-a
Hightow-Weidman L, Muessig K, Claude K, Roberts J, Zlotorzynska M, Sanchez T. Maximizing Digital Interventions for Youth in the Midst of Covid-19: Lessons from the Adolescent Trials Network for HIV Interventions. AIDS and Behavior. 2020. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-020-02870-w
Hightow-Weidman LB, Bauermeister JA. Engagement in mHealth Behavioral Interventions for HIV Prevention and Care: Making Sense of the Metrics. mHealth. Vol 6 (January 2020).

JMIR e-Collection: Adolescent Medicine Trials Network for HIV/AIDS Interventions

Reback CJ, Horvath KJ, Rusow JA, Cain D, Benkeser D. Technology-based Stepped Care to Stem Transgender Adolescent Risk Transmission: Study Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial. JMIR Res Protoc. 2020 | vol. 9 | iss. 8 | e18326. doi: 10.2196/18326
Siegler AJ, Brock JB, Hurt CB, Ahlschlager L, Dominguez K, Kelley C, Jenness S, Wilde G, Jameson S, Bailey-Herring G, Mena LA. An Electronic Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis Initiation and Maintenance Home Care System for Nonurban Young Men Who Have Sex With Men: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial. JMIR Res Protoc 2019;8(6) e13982. DOI: 10.2196/13982 PMID: 31199326
Biello KB, Psaros C, Krakower DS, Marrow E, Safren SA, Mimiaga MJ, Hightow-Weidman L, Sullivan P, Mayer KH. A Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis Adherence Intervention (LifeSteps) for Young Men Who Have Sex With Men: Protocol for a Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial. JMIR Res Protoc 2019;8(1):e10661. DOI: 10.2196/10661. PMID: 30694206.
Biello KB, Marrow E, Mimiaga MJ, Sullivan P, Hightow-Weidman L, Mayer KH. A Mobile-Based App (MyChoices) to Increase Uptake of HIV Testing and Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis by Young Men Who Have Sex With Men: Protocol for a Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial. JMIR Res Protoc 2019;8(1):e10694. DOI: 10.2196/10694 PMID: 30617042
Gamarel KE, Darbes LA, Hightow-Weidman L, Sullivan P, Stephenson R. The Development and Testing of a Relationship Skills Intervention to Improve HIV Prevention Uptake Among Young Gay, Bisexual, and Other Men Who Have Sex With Men and Their Primary Partners (We Prevent): Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial. JMIR Res Protoc 2019;8(1):e10370. DOI: 10.2196/10370
McCumber M, Cain D, LeGrand S, Mayer KH, Murphy DA, Psioda MA, Seña AC, Starks TJ, Hudgens M. Adolescent Medicine Trials Network for HIV/AIDS Interventions Data Harmonization: Rationale and Development of Guidelines. JMIR Res Protoc 2018;7(12):e11207. DOI: 10.2196/11207
LeGrand S, Knudtson K, Benkeser D, Muessig K, Mcgee A, Sullivan PS, Hightow-Weidman L. Testing the Efficacy of a Social Networking Gamification App to Improve Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis Adherence (P3: Prepared, Protected, emPowered): Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial. JMIR Res Protoc 2018;7(12):e10448 DOI: 10.2196/10448
Horvath KJ, Amico KR, Erickson D, Ecklund AM, Martinka A, DeWitt J, McLaughlin J, Parsons JT. Thrive With Me: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial to Test a Peer Support Intervention to Improve Antiretroviral Therapy Adherence Among Men Who Have Sex With Men. JMIR Res Protoc 2018;7(5):e10182. DOI: 10.2196/10182. PMID: 29853437
Hightow-Weidman LB, Muessig K, Rosenberg E, Sanchez T, LeGrand S, Gravens L, Sullivan PS. University of North Carolina/Emory Center for Innovative Technology (iTech) for Addressing the HIV Epidemic Among Adolescents and Young Adults in the United States: Protocol and Rationale for Center Development. JMIR Res Protoc 2018;7(8):e10365. DOI: 10.2196/10365
Bauermeister JA, Golinkoff JM, Horvath KJ, Hightow-Weidman LB, Sullivan PS, Stephenson R. A Multilevel Tailored Web App–Based Intervention for Linking Young Men Who Have Sex With Men to Quality Care (Get Connected): Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial. JMIR Res Protoc 2018;7(8):e10444. DOI: 10.2196/10444

New Media Technology and Sexual Health

Horvath KJ, Walker T, Mireles L, Bauermeister JA, Hightow-Weidman LB, Stephenson R. A Systematic Review of Technology-Assisted HIV Testing Interventions. Current HIV/AIDS Reports. June 08, 2020.
Siegler A, Scott H, Bauermeister JA, Knox B, Hightow-Weidman LB. Mobile app development in health research: Pitfalls and solutions. mHealth. 2020. doi: 10.21037/mhealth-19-263
Mulawa M, Rosengren L, Amico R, Hightow-Weidman LB, Muessig K. mHealth to reduce HIV-related stigma among youth in the United States: a scoping review. mHealth. May 2020. doi: 10.21037/mhealth-20-68
Gamarel K, Stephenson R, Hightow-Weidman LB. Technology-driven methodologies to collect qualitative data among youth to inform HIV prevention and care interventions. mHealth. May 2020. doi: 10.21037/mhealth-20-51-a
Hightow-Weidman L, Muessig K, Claude K, Roberts J, Zlotorzynska M, Sanchez T. Maximizing Digital Interventions for Youth in the Midst of Covid-19: Lessons from the Adolescent Trials Network for HIV Interventions. AIDS and Behavior. 2020. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-020-02870-w
Mulawa MI, LeGrand S, Hightow-Weidman LB. eHealth to Enhance Treatment Adherence Among Youth Living with HIV. Curr HIV/AIDS Rep. 2018 Aug;15(4):336-349. doi: 10.1007/s11904-018-0407-y.
Horvath KJ, Bauermeister JA. eHealth Literacy and Intervention Tailoring Impacts the Acceptability of a HIV/STI Testing Intervention and Sexual Decision Making Among Young Gay and Bisexual Men. AIDS Education & Prevention. 2017 Feb;29(1):14-23. doi: 10.1521/aeap.2017.29.1.14.
Hightow-Weidman LB, Muessig KE, Bauermeister JA, LeGrand S, Fiellin LE. The future of digital games for HIV prevention and care. Curr HIV/AIDS Rep. 2017 July
Hightow-Weidman LB, Muessig KE. New media challenges and opportunities. Sex Transm Infect. Published Online First: 25 November 2016. doi: 10.1136/sextrans-2016-052673
Hightow-Weidman LB, Muessig KE, Bauermeister J, Zhang C, LeGrand S. Youth, Technology and HIV: Recent Advances and Future Directions. Curr HIV/AIDS Rep. 2015 December
Muessig KE, Nekkanti M, Bauermeister J, Bull S, Hightow-Weidman LB. A systematic review of recent smartphone, Internet and Web 2.0 interventions to address the HIV continuum of care. Curr HIV/AIDS Rep. 2015 Mar

ART or PrEP Uptake and Adherence

Siegler AJ, Bratcher A, Weiss KM. Geographic Access to Preexposure Prophylaxis Clinics Among Men Who Have Sex With Men in the United States. Am J Public Health. 2019 Sep;109(9):1216-1223. doi: 10.2105/AJPH.2019.305172. Epub 2019 Jul 18.
Sullivan PS, Siegler AJ. Getting pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to the people: opporunities, challenges, and emerging models of PrEP implementation. Sex Health. 2018 Nov;15(6):522-527. doi: 10.1071/SH18103.
Muessig KE, LeGrand S, Horvath KJ, Bauermeister JA, Hightow-Weidman LB. (2017). Recent mobile health interventions to support medication adherence among HIV-positive MSM. Curr HIV/AIDS Rep
Horvath, K.J., Smolenski, D., & Amico, K.R. (2014). An empirical test of the information-motivation-behavioral skills model of ART adherence in a sample of HIV-positive persons primarily in out-of-HIV-care settings. AIDS Care, 26(2); 142-151. PMC:3762906
Horvath, K.J., Oakes, J. M., Rosser, B.R.S., Danilenko, G., Vezina, H., Amico, K.R., Williams, M.L., & Simoni, J. (2013). Feasibility, acceptability and preliminary efficacy of an online peer-to-peer support ART adherence intervention. AIDS and Behavior, 17(6), 2031-44. PMC:3674213
Page, T., Horvath, K.J., Danilenko, G., & Williams, M.L. (2012). A cost analysis of an Internet based medication adherence intervention for people living with HIV. Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes, 60(1),1-4. PMC:3331887

Engagement in Care

Liu A, Biello K, Zlotorzynska M. HIV self-testing and STI self-collection via mobile apps: experiences from two pilot randomized controlled trials of young men who have sex with men. mHealth. July 15, 2020. doi: 10.21037/mhealth-20-70
Coy KC, Hazen RJ, Kirkham HS, Delpino A, Siegler AJ. Persistence on HIV preexposure prophylaxis medication over a 2-year period among a national sample of 7148 PrEP users, United States, 2015-2017. J Int AIDS Soc. 2019. 22(2): E25252
Steehler K, Siegler AJ. Bringing HIV Self-Testing to Scale in the United States: A Review of Challenges, Potential Solutions, and Future Opportunities. J Clin Microbiol.2019 DOI: 10.1128/JCM.00257-19
Sullivan PS, Mena L, Elopre L, Siegler AJ. Implementation Strategies to Increase PrEP Uptake in the South. Curr HIV/AIDS Rep. 2019 Aug;16(4):259-269. doi: 10.1007/s11904-019-00447-4.
Naar S, Hudgens MG, Brookmeyer R, Idalksi Carcone A, Chapman J, Chowdhury S, Ciaranello A, Comulada WS, Ghosh S, Horvath KJ, Ingram L, LeGrand S. Improving the Youth HIV Prevention and Care Cascades: Innovative Designs in the Adolescent Trials Network for HIV/AIDS Interventions. AIDS Patient Care STDS. 2019 Sep;33(9):388-398. doi: 10.1089/apc.2019.0095.
Bauermeister JA, Golinkoff JM, Lin WY, Claude KF, Horvath KJ, Dowshen N, Schlupp A, Vickroy W, Desir K, Lopez AV. Testing the Testers: Are young men who have sex with men receiving adequate HIV testing and counseling services? JAIDS. 2018; 13(2): e0192936.
Hurt CB. PrEParing Providers: The Next Challenge in Implementing Human Immunodeficiency Virus Preexposure Prophylaxis. Sex Transm Dis. 2018 Jul;45(7):459-461. doi: 10.1097/OLQ.0000000000000835.
Giler RM, Weiss K, Pembleton E, Guest J, Jones J, Castel A, Yeung H, Kramer M, McCallister S, Sullivan PS. The prevalence of pre-exposure prophylaxis use and the pre-exposure prophylaxis-to-need ratio in the fourth quarter of 2017, United States. Ann Epidemiol. 2018 Dec;28(12):841-849. doi: 10.1016/j.annepidem.2018.06.005. Epub 2018 Jun 15.
Siegler AJ, Bratcher A, Weiss KM, Mouhanna F, Ahlschlager L, Sullivan PS. Location location location: an exploration of disparities in access to publicaly listed pre-exposure prophylaxis clinics in the United States. Ann Epidemiol. 2018 Dec;28(12):858-864. doi: 10.1016/j.annepidem.2018.05.006. Epub 2018 May 26.
Sanchez, T., Zlotorzynska, M., Sineath, R., Kahle, E., Tregear, S., Sullivan, P. National Trends in Sexual Behavior, Substance Use and HIV Testing Among United States Men Who have Sex with Men Recruited Online, 2013 Through 2017. AIDS and Behavior. 2018 June.
LeGrand S, Muessig KE, Horvath KJ, Rosengren AL, Hightow-Weidman LB. Using technology to support HIV self-testing among MSM. Curr Opin HIV AIDS. 2017 Jun.
Horvath, K., Lammert, S., LeGrand, S., Muessig, K., Bauermeister, J. Using technology to assess and intervene with illicit drug-using persons at risk for HIV. Curr Opin HIV AIDS. 2017 Sept.
Bauermeister, J.A., Pingel, E., Jadwin-Cakmak, L., Meanley, S., Alapati, D., Moore, M., Lowther, M., Wade, R. & Harper, G.W. The use of mystery shopping for quality assurance evaluations of HIV/STI testing sites offering services to young gay and bisexual men. AIDS & Behavior, (2015), 19(10), 1919-1927.
Horvath, K.J., Carrico, A.W., Simoni, J., Boyer, E.W., Amico, K.R. and Petroll, A. (2013). Engagement in HIV medical care and technology use among stimulant-using and non-stimulant-using men who have sex with men. AIDS Research and Treatment, Article ID 121352.
Bauermeister, J.A., Pingel, E., Jadwin-Cakmak, L., Harper, G.W., Horvath, K., Weiss, G. & Dittus, P. (2015). Acceptability and preliminary efficacy of a tailored online HIV/STI testing intervention for young men who have sex with men: The Get Connected! Program. AIDS & Behavior, 19(10), 1860-1874.

Social Media

Zlotorzynska M, Bauermeister JA, Golinkoff JM, Lin W, Sanchez T, Hightow-Weidman LB. Online recruitment of youth for mHealth studies. mHealth. 06/12/2020. doi: 10.21037/mhealth-20-64
Horvath, K.J., Danilenko, G.P., Williams, M.L., Simoni, J., Amico, K.R., Oakes, J.M., & Rosser, B.R.S. (2012). Technology use and reasons to participate in online social networking websites for people living with HIV in the US. AIDS and Behavior, 16(4), 900-10. PMC:3454490

App Analytics

Hightow-Weidman LB, Bauermeister JA. Engagement in mHealth Behavioral Interventions for HIV Prevention and Care: Making Sense of the Metrics. mHealth. Vol 6 (January 2020).
Bauermeister JA, Golinkoff JM, Muessig KE, Horvath KJ, Hightow-Weidman LB. (2017). Addressing engagement in technology-based behavioural HIV interventions through paradata metrics. Curr Opin HIV AIDS. 2017 July
Bonnet S, Connochie D, Golinkoff JM, Horvath KJ, Bauermeister JA. (2018). Paradata Analysis of an eHealth HIV Testing Intervention for Young Men Who Have Sex With Men. AIDS Education and Prevention. 2018 Oct;30(5): 434-447.

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