Digital Epidemiologic Research on Multilevel Risks for HIV Acquisition and Other Health Outcomes Among Transgender Women in Eastern and Southern United States: Protocol for an Online Cohort

• DOI: 10.2196/29152
• Publication Date: 2021-03-31T19:33:35Z
• Authors: Andrea L Wirtz; Erin E Cooney; Megan Stevenson; Asa Radix; Tonia Poteat; Andrew J Wawrzyniak; Christopher M Cannon; Jason S Schneider; J Sonya Haw; James Case; Keri N Althoff; Elizabeth Humes; Kenneth H Mayer; Chris Beyrer; Allan E Rodriguez; Sari L Reisner
• Keywords: Original Paper; 03 medical and health sciences; 0302 clinical medicine; 5. Gender equality; Computer applications to medicine. Medical informatics; R; R858-859.7; Medicine; 16. Peace & justice; 10. No inequality; 3. Good health

The HIV epidemic disproportionately impacts transgender women in the United States. Cohort studies identify unique risks for affected populations, but use of facility-based methods may bias findings towards individuals living research catchment areas, more engaged health services, or, case those who are open about their identity. Digital clinical trials and other online increasingly common, providing opportunity to reach not commonly research. Simultaneously, there is a need understand potential biases associated with digital research, how these perform, whether they accepted across populations.This study aims assess feasibility developing implementing an cohort acquisition experiences. Further, this evaluate compares site-based, technology-enhanced epidemiologic overarching goal estimate incidence outcomes among eastern southern States.This substudy part larger multisite prospective (LITE) conducted women, which also includes 6 US cities. was launched enroll follow participants 72 cities same region similar demographic characteristics as site-based cohort. Participants followed 24 months. Adult recruited via convenience sampling (eg, peer referrals, social media, dating apps). reporting negative or unknown status enrolled baseline visit, complete sociobehavioral survey, provide oral fluid specimens test HIV. (lab-confirmed) at offered enrollment into cohort; follow-up assessments occur every months.Enrollment January 2019. Active recruitment stopped May 2019, officially closed August 2020. A total 580 recruitment-enrollment cascade observed screening, consent, completion activities. Implementation experiences kits highlight heavy staff engagement support participant engagement, visit completion, retention, even automated procedures.This responsive increasing interest observational intervention particularly populations most by otherwise participate person. progression stages provides useful insight implementation environment.DERR1-10.2196/29152.