{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,11]],"date-time":"2026-08-11T01:18:32Z","timestamp":1786411112426,"version":"build-2736575974"},"reference-count":55,"publisher":"JMIR Publications Inc.","content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["JMIR Res Protoc"],"abstract":"\n Background<\/jats:title>\n Current programs to engage marginalized populations such as gay and bisexual individuals and other men who have sex with men (MSM) in HIV prevention interventions do not often reach all MSM who may benefit from them. To reduce the global burden of HIV, far-reaching strategies are needed to engage MSM in HIV prevention and treatment. Globally, including low- and middle-income countries, MSM are now widely using internet-based social and mobile technologies (SMTs; eg, dating apps, social media, and WhatsApp [Meta]), which provides an unprecedented opportunity to engage unreached and underserved groups, such as MSM for HIV prevention and care.<\/jats:p>\n <\/jats:sec>\n \n Objective<\/jats:title>\n This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of a multilevel mobile health (mHealth)\u2013based intervention to improve HIV testing uptake and status neutral linkage-to-care among sexually active MSM reached through internet-based platforms in Mumbai, India.<\/jats:p>\n <\/jats:sec>\n \n Methods<\/jats:title>\n In this randomized controlled trial, we will determine whether CHALO! 2.0 (a theory-based multilevel intervention delivered in part through WhatsApp) results in increased HIV testing and linkage-to-care (prevention or treatment). This study is being conducted among 1000 sexually active MSM who are unaware of their HIV status (never tested or tested >6 months ago) and are recruited through SMTs in Mumbai, India. We will conduct a 12-week, 3-arm randomized trial comparing CHALO! 2.0 to 2 control conditions\u2014an attention-matched SMT-based control (also including a digital coupon for free HIV testing) and a digital coupon\u2013only control. The primary outcomes will be HIV testing and status neutral linkage-to-care by 6 months post enrollment. Participants will be followed up for a total of 18 months to evaluate the long-term impact.<\/jats:p>\n <\/jats:sec>\n \n Results<\/jats:title>\n The study was funded in 2020, with recruitment having started in April 2022 due to delays from the COVID-19 pandemic. Baseline survey data collection began in April 2022, with follow-up surveys starting in July 2022. As of April 2022, we enrolled 1004 participants in the study. The completion of follow-up data collection is expected in January 2025, with results to be published thereafter.<\/jats:p>\n <\/jats:sec>\n \n Conclusions<\/jats:title>\n While global health agencies have called for internet-based interventions to engage populations vulnerable to HIV who are not being reached, few proven effective and scalable models exist and none is in India, which has one of the world\u2019s largest HIV epidemics. This study will address this gap by testing a multicomponent mHealth intervention to reach and engage MSM at high priority for HIV interventions and link them to HIV testing and prevention or treatment.<\/jats:p>\n <\/jats:sec>\n \n Trial Registration<\/jats:title>\n ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04814654; https:\/\/clinicaltrials.gov\/study\/NCT04814654. Clinical Trial Registry of India CTRI\/2021\/03\/032280<\/jats:p>\n <\/jats:sec>\n \n International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)<\/jats:title>\n DERR1-10.2196\/59873<\/jats:p>\n <\/jats:sec>","DOI":"10.2196\/59873","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2024,9,6]],"date-time":"2024-09-06T07:59:22Z","timestamp":1725609562000},"page":"e59873","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":3,"title":["The CHALO! 2.0 mHealth-Based Multilevel Intervention to Promote HIV Testing and Linkage-to-Care Among Men Who Have Sex with Men in Mumbai, India: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial"],"prefix":"10.2196","volume":"13","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-7365-9074","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Jatin","family":"Chaudary","sequence":"first","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-9248-0272","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Shruta","family":"Rawat","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0003-0740-6487","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Alpana","family":"Dange","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-1644-1076","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Sarit A","family":"Golub","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-9603-7726","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Ryung S","family":"Kim","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-9998-9135","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Venkatesan","family":"Chakrapani","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-7460-733X","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Kenneth H","family":"Mayer","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-7741-1567","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Julia","family":"Arnsten","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-5603-9823","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Viraj V","family":"Patel","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"1010","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2024,11,5]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref1","unstructured":"World Health OrganizationHIV and AIDS2023-11-06https:\/\/tinyurl.com\/4pphh5ds"},{"key":"ref2","unstructured":"National AIDS Control OrganizationSankalak: Status of National AIDS Response20212023-11-06New DelhiMinistry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of Indiahttps:\/\/tinyurl.com\/2wvy4zda"},{"key":"ref3","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/S2352-3018(19)30034-7"},{"key":"ref4","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1371\/journal.pone.0262094"},{"key":"ref5","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1080\/09540121.2016.1271103"},{"key":"ref6","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1080\/19317611.2011.566516"},{"key":"ref7","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1097\/QAI.0000000000001698"},{"key":"ref8","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.2196\/jmir.7997"},{"key":"ref9","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1089\/apc.2012.0216"},{"key":"ref10","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1080\/17441692.2015.1057757"},{"key":"ref11","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1007\/s10461-011-9974-2"},{"key":"ref12","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/S2214-109X(20)30547-7"},{"key":"ref13","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.2196\/16494"},{"key":"ref14","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1080\/19317611.2016.1193079"},{"key":"ref15","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1080\/09540121.2016.1271103"},{"issue":"2","key":"ref16","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"111","DOI":"10.1016\/S2055-6640(20)30483-0","volume":"1","author":"Anand, T","year":"2015","journal-title":"J Virus Erad"},{"key":"ref17","unstructured":"StatistaSocial Media Usage in India - Statistics & Facts2023-11-06https:\/\/tinyurl.com\/4hdvkw48"},{"key":"ref18","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1097\/COH.0000000000000403"},{"key":"ref19","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1177\/1357633X16639186"},{"key":"ref20","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.2196\/jmir.4387"},{"key":"ref21","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.7448\/IAS.20.1.21326"},{"key":"ref22","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1080\/09540121.2017.1286288"},{"key":"ref23","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1186\/2049-9957-2-12"},{"key":"ref24","unstructured":"Where your identity is a reason for pride and not a reason to hideThe Humsafar Trust2023-11-06https:\/\/humsafar.org\/"},{"key":"ref25","unstructured":"Mumbai populationWorld Population Review20242024-06-25https:\/\/tinyurl.com\/2vcbndpj"},{"key":"ref26","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.ajp.2012.02.012"},{"key":"ref27","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1046\/j.1360-0443.2002.00185.x"},{"key":"ref28","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.4258\/hir.2018.24.2.125"},{"key":"ref29","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1089\/apc.2010.0069"},{"key":"ref30","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1371\/journal.pone.0281728"},{"key":"ref31","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1007\/s11606-017-4197-5"},{"key":"ref32","author":"Owen, H","year":"2008","journal-title":"Open Space Technology: A User's Guide"},{"key":"ref33","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1177\/0956462413488568"},{"key":"ref34","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.puhe.2011.01.010"},{"key":"ref35","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.ypmed.2013.09.005"},{"key":"ref36","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1046\/j.1360-0443.2002.00185.x"},{"key":"ref37","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.ajp.2012.02.012"},{"key":"ref38","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1097\/QAI.0000000000001601"},{"key":"ref39","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.aogh.2015.02.943"},{"key":"ref40","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1089\/lgbt.2016.0082"},{"key":"ref41","author":"Hastie, T","year":"1992","journal-title":"Generalized Linear Models"},{"key":"ref42","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1093\/cid\/ciw258"},{"key":"ref43","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1093\/cid\/ciw127"},{"key":"ref44","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.2105\/AJPH.2014.301992"},{"key":"ref45","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/S2352-3018(14)00006-X"},{"key":"ref46","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1371\/journal.pone.0039530"},{"key":"ref47","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1371\/journal.pone.0133232"},{"key":"ref48","author":"Mane, SH","year":"2019","journal-title":"Personal Communication with Testing and Counseling Manager, The Humsafar Trust. Mumbai, India"},{"key":"ref49","unstructured":"U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS)Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA)20022023-11-06https:\/\/www.dhs.gov\/fisma"},{"key":"ref50","unstructured":"National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS)Minimum Security Requirements for Federal Information and Information Systems20062023-11-06https:\/\/nvlpubs.nist.gov\/nistpubs\/FIPS\/NIST.FIPS.200.pdf"},{"key":"ref51","unstructured":"U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act Enforcement Interim Final Rule20092023-11-06https:\/\/tinyurl.com\/skdtyx2u"},{"key":"ref52","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.2196\/jmir.2301"},{"key":"ref53","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1007\/978-1-4939-6380-5_9"},{"key":"ref54","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1080\/17441692.2015.1134612"},{"key":"ref55","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1007\/s10792-021-01753-w"}],"container-title":["JMIR Research Protocols"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/www.researchprotocols.org\/2024\/1\/e59873","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,4]],"date-time":"2026-08-04T13:53:53Z","timestamp":1785851633000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/www.researchprotocols.org\/2024\/1\/e59873"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2024,11,5]]},"references-count":55,"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.2196\/59873","relation":{"has-preprint":[{"id-type":"doi","id":"10.2196\/preprints.59873","asserted-by":"object"}]},"ISSN":["1929-0748"],"issn-type":[{"value":"1929-0748","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2024,11,5]]}}}