Gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (MSM) remain disproportionately affected by sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV, in the United States. Patient-facing digital tools, such as patient portals, can enhance STI prevention and care if designed to align with user needs and preferences. Thus, this study examined interest in specific portal features across various segments of MSM communities. Data were drawn from the 2022–2023 cycle of the American Men’s Internet Survey. A randomized subset of participants was asked about interest in four portal features: (A) easier interpretation of lab results, (B) behavioral guidance after positive STI results, (C) ability to order HIV/STI home test kits, and (D) education on undetectable HIV viral load and transmission. To measure associations of sociodemographic, behavioral, and psychosocial variables with these multivariate feature interest outcomes we estimated adjusted prevalence ratios (aPRs) using multivariable Poisson regression models with robust error variance. The final analytic sample included 3,495 MSM (median age = 44 years; 70% White; 13% self-reported as living with HIV). Interest was highest for easier lab interpretation (64%), followed by behavioral guidance (43%), home test kit ordering (36%), and education on undetectable viral load (36%). Adjusted prevalence ratios for endorsing the integration of Undetectable=Untransmittable (U = U) education into portals was 24% (95%CI = 1.07, 1.45) and 37% (95%CI = 1.18, 1.60) higher among Black and Hispanic/Latino participants compared to White participants. Reporting anticipated healthcare stigma (aPR = 1.53; 95%CI = 1.33, 1.76) and socio-sexual networking app use (aPR = 1.17; 95%CI = 1.03, 1.32) were associated with greater interest in home test kits. People living with HIV (PLHIV) expressed lower interest in home test kits (aPR = 0.64; 95%CI = 0.53, 0.77) but higher interest in U = U education (aPR = 1.72; 95%CI = 1.96). Similarly, reporting suicidal thoughts was associated with a 19% higher aPR for interest in the inclusion of U = U education. MSM broadly support patient portal features that enhance understanding of health information, provide actionable guidance, and facilitate testing and education. The variability in preferences by HIV status, age, race/ethnicity, stigma experiences, and mental health underscore the need for tailored design and implementation of digital health tools among MSM communities.
Jackman et al. (Wed,) studied this question.