Game-Based Intervention to Prevent HIV in Mexico City

Sergio Bautista in Mexico (INSP MEXICO and Consorcio de Investigación Sobre VIH SIDA TB CISIDAT A.C.), and his partners Elena Bertozzi (Quinnipiac University) and Raluca Buzdugan (University of California, Berkeley) will develop an online game-based intervention to motivate men who have sex with men in Mexico City to get regularly tested for HIV and adhere to treatment. Along with input from the target group, they will develop a humorous game in the context of an anonymous online community that simulates real-world interactions with potential partners. The game will incorporate HIV-related topics, and reward healthy choices with coupons for free HIV testing and with points on a leader board. They will recruit players to pilot test the game, and assess participant opinion and its value for promoting healthy behavior in this high-risk group.