An urgent need to utilize serious games for male-centric efforts to prevent HIV infection among African adolescents. (Preprint)

UNSTRUCTURED Abstract: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immuno-Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) continues to be a global health challenge. Whereas females typically face a higher risk of HIV infection during early adolescence, males catch up partly due to sexual beliefs and practices developed later in adolescence. Despite the absence of a significant gap in HIV prevalence between biological sexes, interventions often prioritize females over males. To achieve significant progress in the prevention of HIV infection, there is need to promote a gender equity agenda by increasing interventions that specifically target adolescent males. These should include interventions that are culturally relevant, age-appropriate and designed to align with current trends and technologies. Implementation science initiatives such as gamification and serious game that incorporate community-engaged human-centered design, that are male-centric hold the potential to mitigate the triple threat of HIV infection, sexual gender-based violence and teenage pregnancy. A mitigation in the triple threat would not only help in achieving an AIDS-free generation but also enhance adolescents' quality of life, leading to more prosperous and healthy communities. What this study ads: The exploration into HIV/AIDS prevention with emerging tools such as serious games to prevent seroconversion of HIV negative individuals by focusing on adolescent males early in life could help in preventing future HIV infections.