Project Details
Layman's description
Chemsex refers to the intentional use of drugs before or during sex among men who have sex with men (MSM) [1]. The phenomenon has been on the rise in recent years and is associated with a range of physical, psychological and social risks [2, 3]. Unfortunately, intervention programmes specifically targeting chemsex are scarce [4, 5]. Based on these findings, the ‘Chemified’ project emerged in 2019: a collaboration between the Institute of Tropical Medicine, University of Antwerp, Sensoa and the Flemish expertise centre on alcohol and other substances (VAD). The aim of this project was to develop a mobile health app (‘Budd’) to support individuals engaging in chemsex to reduce the negative effects and promote more conscious participation.
The Budd app was developed in a systematic way according to the six steps of the Intervention Mapping Protocol [6]. At the start of the project, an interdisciplinary planning group and external advisory board were established to guide the process. Between September 2019 and March 2020, the needs assessment was conducted. This consisted of a literature review on the health risks and associated risk behaviours resulting from participation in chemsex. In-depth interviews were then conducted with 20 MSM participating in chemsex [7]. The aim of these interviews was to identify current needs and risk reduction practices used before, during and after attending a chemsex session. Based on these findings, intervention goals were selected, followed by intervention methods and app components. The first proof of concept (POC) version of Budd was finalised in December 2020. A pilot study then took place between February and April 2021 [8]. The POC was tested for usability and acceptability among eight potential app users. Based on these results, the app was further optimised. The second version was tested for effectiveness between October 2021 and February 2022. With this study, we wanted to evaluate the app's success in changing risk behaviour and behavioural determinants. Effects were measured in 11 chemsex participants using a combined pre-post design and single-case design. Budd was launched in Belgium and the Netherlands on 26 April 2022. On 7 July 2022, Englishlanguage launch videos were distributed and the app was made accessible in Europe. We recorded a video about the app’s features and the development process. Continuity is ensured by contentrelated support from Sensoa and VAD, and a technical maintenance contract with the app development agency that developed Budd
References
[1] Stuart, D. A Chemsex Crucible: The Context and the Controversy. J. Fam. Plan. Reprod. Heal. Care, 2016, 42 (4), 295–296. https://doi.org/10.1136/jfprhc-2016-101603.
[2] Frankis, J.; Flowers, P.; McDaid, L.; Bourne, A. Low Levels of Chemsex among Men Who Have Sex with Men, but High Levels of Risk among Men Who Engage in Chemsex: Analysis of a Cross-Sectional Online Survey across Four Countries. Sex. Health, 2018, 15 (2), 144–150. https://doi.org/10.1071/SH17159.
[3] Sewell, J.; Cambiano, V.; Miltz, A.; Speakman, A.; Lampe, F. C.; Phillips, A.; Stuart, D.; Gilson, R.; Asboe, D.; Nwokolo, N.; et al. Changes in Recreational Drug Use, Drug Use Associated with Chemsex, and HIV-Related Behaviours, among HIV-Negative Men Who Have Sex with Men in London and Brighton, 2013-2016. Sex. Transm. Infect., 2018, 94 (7), 494–501. https://doi.org/10.1136/sextrans-2017-053439.
[4] Wiggins, H.; Ogaz, D.; Mebrahtu, H.; Sullivan, A.; Bowden-Jones, O.; Field, N.; Hughes, G. Demand for and Availability of Specialist Chemsex Services in the UK: A Cross-Sectional Survey of Sexual Health Clinics. Int. J. Drug Policy, 2018, 55, 155–158. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugpo.2017.12.016.
[5] Platteau, T.; Pebody, R.; Dunbar, N.; Lebacq, T.; Collins, B. The Problematic Chemsex Journey: A Resource for Prevention and Harm Reduction. Drugs and Alcohol Today, 2019, 19 (1), 49– 54. https://doi.org/10.1108/DAT-11-2018-0066.
[6] Bartholomew, L. K.; Markham, C.; Ruiter, R. A. C. Planning Health Promotion Programs. An Intervention Mapping Approach.; 2011.
[7] Herrijgers, C.; Poels, K.; Vandebosch, H.; Platteau, T.; van Lankveld, J.; Florence, E. Harm Reduction Practices and Needs in a Belgian Chemsex Context: Findings from a Qualitative Study. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health, 2020, 17 (23), 9081. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17239081.
[8] Herrijgers, C.; Platteau, T.; Vandebosch, H.; Poels, K.; Florence, E. A Mobile Health Intervention (BUDD) to Support Men Who Have Sex with Men Engaging in Chemsex: Intervention Mapping Approach. JMIR Res. Protoc., 2022.
The Budd app was developed in a systematic way according to the six steps of the Intervention Mapping Protocol [6]. At the start of the project, an interdisciplinary planning group and external advisory board were established to guide the process. Between September 2019 and March 2020, the needs assessment was conducted. This consisted of a literature review on the health risks and associated risk behaviours resulting from participation in chemsex. In-depth interviews were then conducted with 20 MSM participating in chemsex [7]. The aim of these interviews was to identify current needs and risk reduction practices used before, during and after attending a chemsex session. Based on these findings, intervention goals were selected, followed by intervention methods and app components. The first proof of concept (POC) version of Budd was finalised in December 2020. A pilot study then took place between February and April 2021 [8]. The POC was tested for usability and acceptability among eight potential app users. Based on these results, the app was further optimised. The second version was tested for effectiveness between October 2021 and February 2022. With this study, we wanted to evaluate the app's success in changing risk behaviour and behavioural determinants. Effects were measured in 11 chemsex participants using a combined pre-post design and single-case design. Budd was launched in Belgium and the Netherlands on 26 April 2022. On 7 July 2022, Englishlanguage launch videos were distributed and the app was made accessible in Europe. We recorded a video about the app’s features and the development process. Continuity is ensured by contentrelated support from Sensoa and VAD, and a technical maintenance contract with the app development agency that developed Budd
References
[1] Stuart, D. A Chemsex Crucible: The Context and the Controversy. J. Fam. Plan. Reprod. Heal. Care, 2016, 42 (4), 295–296. https://doi.org/10.1136/jfprhc-2016-101603.
[2] Frankis, J.; Flowers, P.; McDaid, L.; Bourne, A. Low Levels of Chemsex among Men Who Have Sex with Men, but High Levels of Risk among Men Who Engage in Chemsex: Analysis of a Cross-Sectional Online Survey across Four Countries. Sex. Health, 2018, 15 (2), 144–150. https://doi.org/10.1071/SH17159.
[3] Sewell, J.; Cambiano, V.; Miltz, A.; Speakman, A.; Lampe, F. C.; Phillips, A.; Stuart, D.; Gilson, R.; Asboe, D.; Nwokolo, N.; et al. Changes in Recreational Drug Use, Drug Use Associated with Chemsex, and HIV-Related Behaviours, among HIV-Negative Men Who Have Sex with Men in London and Brighton, 2013-2016. Sex. Transm. Infect., 2018, 94 (7), 494–501. https://doi.org/10.1136/sextrans-2017-053439.
[4] Wiggins, H.; Ogaz, D.; Mebrahtu, H.; Sullivan, A.; Bowden-Jones, O.; Field, N.; Hughes, G. Demand for and Availability of Specialist Chemsex Services in the UK: A Cross-Sectional Survey of Sexual Health Clinics. Int. J. Drug Policy, 2018, 55, 155–158. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugpo.2017.12.016.
[5] Platteau, T.; Pebody, R.; Dunbar, N.; Lebacq, T.; Collins, B. The Problematic Chemsex Journey: A Resource for Prevention and Harm Reduction. Drugs and Alcohol Today, 2019, 19 (1), 49– 54. https://doi.org/10.1108/DAT-11-2018-0066.
[6] Bartholomew, L. K.; Markham, C.; Ruiter, R. A. C. Planning Health Promotion Programs. An Intervention Mapping Approach.; 2011.
[7] Herrijgers, C.; Poels, K.; Vandebosch, H.; Platteau, T.; van Lankveld, J.; Florence, E. Harm Reduction Practices and Needs in a Belgian Chemsex Context: Findings from a Qualitative Study. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health, 2020, 17 (23), 9081. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17239081.
[8] Herrijgers, C.; Platteau, T.; Vandebosch, H.; Poels, K.; Florence, E. A Mobile Health Intervention (BUDD) to Support Men Who Have Sex with Men Engaging in Chemsex: Intervention Mapping Approach. JMIR Res. Protoc., 2022.
| Status | Active |
|---|---|
| Effective start/end date | 29/05/24 → … |