An interventional study of Sexual health advocacy for guys and Healthy lifestyle control in HIV Infections, sponsored by Center for Innovative Public Health Research. Recruiting at 2 sites in United States. Open to male participants aged 13 Years to 22 Years, including healthy volunteers. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-07-09.
Sponsored by Center for Innovative Public Health Research · Not applicable, Interventional, and Prevention
SHAG is a text messaging-based HIV prevention program designed for cisgender sexual minority boys and men 13-20 years of age across the United States. Investigators will test it against a control group that receives messages about healthy lifestyle.
SHAG is a text messaging-based HIV prevention program designed for cisgender sexual minority boys and men 13-20 years of age across the United States. Investigators will test it against a control group that receives messages about healthy lifestyle. Harnessing the power of technology, young people will be recruited online and largely enrolled digitally. The main outcome of interest is HIV incidence. The impact of the intervention on STI testing and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) will also be examined.
4,734 studies on the registry are indexed under HIV Infections; 244 are open to participants now.
This study's planned enrollment of 5,000 is above the median of 80 across 3,489 interventional studies indexed under HIV Infections.
Browse HIV Infections studies →Center for Innovative Public Health Research is the lead sponsor of 13 studies on the registry; 4 are open to participants now.
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Go through the criteria one by one — yes, no or not sure — and take the list to your doctor or the study team. Kept in this browser only.
Exclusion Criteria:
Underlined terms in the criteria open these too. Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
The human immunodeficiency virus, which weakens the immune system.
Many studies now accept people whose HIV is controlled on treatment, judged by the viral load and the CD4 count. Check the limits this study sets.
HIV
The human immunodeficiency virus, which weakens the immune system.
Many studies now accept people whose HIV is controlled on treatment, judged by the viral load and the CD4 count. Check the limits this study sets.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Young people assigned to the intervention arm will receive \~9 weeks of daily text messages that talk about healthy sexuality and ways to reduce HIV risk. After a 3 month 'quiet' period, they will receive a week of review messages. Messages are based upon the information-motivation-behavioral model of preventive behavior.
Behavioral: Sexual health advocacy for guys
Young people assigned to the control arm will receive \~9 weeks of daily text messages that talk about healthy lifestyle, such as self-esteem and physical exercise. After a 3 month 'quiet' period, they will receive a week of review messages.
Behavioral: Healthy lifestyle control
5 month HIV prevention program delivered via text messaging
5 month control group program delivered via text messaging
HIV Incidence
HIV Incidence determined by home testing kit
Time frame: 12-months post-intervention and immediately post-intervention
Self-reported HIV incidence
Self-reported HIV Status
Time frame: Post-Intervention, 3-months post, 6-months post, 9-months post, 12-month post
Proportion of Participants Testing for an STI
This outcome will be measured as a cumulative indicator of whether the individual has tested for an STI
Time frame: 12-month post intervention and immediately post-intervention
Proportion of Participants having used PrEP/PEP
This outcome will be measured as a cumulative indicator of whether the individual has used pre-exposure or post-exposure prophylaxis for HIV
Time frame: 12-month post-Intervention and immediately post-intervention
Plan to share: Yes — Individual-level de-identified data will be made available through controlled access.
Supporting information: Study protocol, Statistical analysis plan, Informed consent form
Time frame: Data will be available starting 12 months after the grant ends.
Access criteria: Data access requires sponsorship by an Institution on behalf of the prospective recipient. Requester must provide documentation of local IRB approval Requester agrees to make results of studies using the data available to the larger scientific community Requester must provide a letter of collaboration with the primary study investigator Use of the data is limited to not-for-profit organizations Use of the data is limited to health purposes
Eligibility is decided by the study team. Share this record with your doctor or contact the team directly.
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Center for Innovative Public Health Research