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BACKGROUND There is a considerable number of homosexual and bisexual Chinese, while their health conditions have not received sufficient attention compared with general population. Referring to World Health Organization (WHO)’s definition, holistic health is a comprehensive concept incorporating physical, mental, and social well-being. However, existing research seems inadequate and unbalanced on the holistic health of this population, especially many studies only focus on sexually transmitted infections (STI) and relating prevention interventions. Apart from these, the health status of these sexual minorities from a holistic perspective remains unclear. OBJECTIVE This scoping review aims to comprehensively examine all available literature and will be the first to map the existing evidence on the holistic health of homosexual and bisexual Chinese. METHODS This proposed scoping review has been structured according to standard framework recommended by Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI). Pilot searches of PubMed in English and SinoMed in Chinese were completed to identify all relevant search terms or keywords, then a comprehensive search strategy has been carried out across all relevant databases centering on health care, psychology, nursing and social science, including totally 20 electronic databases covering both English and traditional as well as simplified Chinese. Screening and study selection has been independently conducted by two reviewers and consulting a third senior reviewer based on consensus needs. Data will be extracted using a structured data form and a narrative synthesis of the findings will be used. RESULTS The final database search has been conducted in May 2020, and totally yielded 14811 references from January 1st 2001 to May 31st 2020. After removing 4227 duplicates, there are 10584 references remained for further screen. As of May 2021, the full-text screening is just completed, and data extraction and charting is in progress. This review is projected to be completed by Fall 2021. CONCLUSIONS There is no systematically reviewed evidence available or underway review on the holistic health of either homosexual or bisexual Chinese, so this scoping review will serve as the first and most comprehensive way to map the existing evidence and draw a big picture of their health conditions. Results of this review can be used to inform scholars of existing health issues and other major needs, then to provide scientific references for the development of person-centered culturally sensitive programs with Chinese characteristics. CLINICALTRIAL This protocol has been registered within Open Science Framework (https://osf.io/82r7z) on April 27, 2020.

Background Smartphone-based dating apps are rapidly transforming how people seek potential sexual and romantic partners. However, they can also increase the risk of unsafe sexual behaviors, harassment, and infringement of personal privacy. Current research on interventions for safer dating app use remains insufficient. Objective The goal of this study was to describe the development of an intervention for safer dating app usage using crowdsourcing and peer-led approaches. Methods This paper describes the development of an intervention program designed to promote safer dating app use among college students. Crowdsourcing and peer-led approaches were adopted during key stages of the development process. Focus group discussions were held to assess the experience and needs of dating app users. A crowdsourcing contest then solicited ideas for performance objectives for the intervention. These objectives were grouped to further identify practical strategies. A one-day intensive workshop was subsequently held with peer mentors to brainstorm ideas for the production of creative interventional materials. The intervention programs were produced and tested in a pilot study. The app’s effectiveness will be evaluated in a cluster randomized controlled trial. Results The intervention program consists of a risk assessment tool, a first-person scenario game, and four short videos. The risk assessment tool, comprised of 14 questions, will give the participant a score to determine their level of risk of adverse events when using dating apps. The scenario game is a first-person simulation game where the players are presented with choices when faced with different scenarios. The short videos each last 2-4 minutes, with points of discussion aimed at addressing the risks of using dating apps. The programs were piloted and were found to be relatable and helpful when further modifications were made. Conclusions Potential challenges identified during the development process included data management and analysis, sustaining peer mentors’ interests and participation, and balancing between providing more information and perpetuating social stigma around dating app use. By integrating new approaches, such as crowdsourcing and the peer-led approach, in developing an intervention for safer dating app use, our development process provides a viable model for developing future interventions to address the risks associated with dating app use.

BACKGROUND Online dating apps are popular platforms for seeking romance and sexual relationships among young adults. As mobile apps can easily gain access to a pool of strangers (“new friends”) at any time and place, it leads to heightened sexual health risks and privacy concerns. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a peer-led web-based intervention for online dating apps to prepare Chinese college students so that they have better self-efficacy when using dating apps. METHODS An open clustered randomized controlled trial was conducted among students from three colleges (The University of Hong Kong, Hang Seng University of Hong Kong, and Yijin Programme of Vocational Training College) in Hong Kong. Students aged 17 to 27 years who attended common core curriculum or general education were randomized into intervention and control groups. The intervention material, developed with high peer engagement, included four short videos, an interactive scenario game, and a risk assessment tool. An existing website promoting physical activities and healthy living was used as a control. Using the information, motivation, and behavioral skills (IMB) approach to design the evaluation, questionnaires covering participants’ sociodemographics and dating app characteristics, as well as the general self-efficacy scale (GSE) as the primary outcome and the risk propensity scale (RPS) as the secondary outcome were administered before, immediately after, and at 1 month after the intervention. Intention-to-treat analysis was adopted, and between-group differences were assessed using the Mann-Whitney U test. A post-hoc multiple linear regression model was used to examine the correlates of the GSE and RPS. RESULTS A total of 578 eligible participants (290 in the intervention group and 288 in the control group) participated in the study with 36 lost to follow-up. There were more female participants (318/542, 58.7%) than male participants in the sample, reflecting the distribution of college students. Over half of the participants (286/542, 52.8%) reported the following reasons for using dating apps: being curious (170/498, 34.1%), trying to make new friends (158/498, 31.7%), and finding friends with similar interests (121/498, 24.3%). Overall, the participants in the intervention group reported favorable experiences when compared with the finding in the control group. There was significant improvement in the GSE score and reduction in the RPS score (P CONCLUSIONS The online intervention was effective in improving general self-efficacy and reducing risk tendency among young students. Future work is needed to determine if this approach is cost-effective and such behavioral change is sustainable. CLINICALTRIAL ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03685643; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03685643. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT RR2-10.1186/s13063-018-3167-5

BACKGROUND Smartphone-based dating apps are rapidly transforming how people seek potential sexual and romantic partners. However, they can also increase the risk of unsafe sexual behaviors, harassment, and infringement of personal privacy. Current research on interventions for safer dating app use remains insufficient. OBJECTIVE The goal of this study was to describe the development of an intervention for safer dating app usage using crowdsourcing and peer-led approaches. METHODS This paper describes the development of an intervention program designed to promote safer dating app use among college students. Crowdsourcing and peer-led approaches were adopted during key stages of the development process. Focus group discussions were held to assess the experience and needs of dating app users. A crowdsourcing contest then solicited ideas for performance objectives for the intervention. These objectives were grouped to further identify practical strategies. A one-day intensive workshop was subsequently held with peer mentors to brainstorm ideas for the production of creative interventional materials. The intervention programs were produced and tested in a pilot study. The app’s effectiveness will be evaluated in a cluster randomized controlled trial. RESULTS The intervention program consists of a risk assessment tool, a first-person scenario game, and four short videos. The risk assessment tool, comprised of 14 questions, will give the participant a score to determine their level of risk of adverse events when using dating apps. The scenario game is a first-person simulation game where the players are presented with choices when faced with different scenarios. The short videos each last 2-4 minutes, with points of discussion aimed at addressing the risks of using dating apps. The programs were piloted and were found to be relatable and helpful when further modifications were made. CONCLUSIONS Potential challenges identified during the development process included data management and analysis, sustaining peer mentors’ interests and participation, and balancing between providing more information and perpetuating social stigma around dating app use. By integrating new approaches, such as crowdsourcing and the peer-led approach, in developing an intervention for safer dating app use, our development process provides a viable model for developing future interventions to address the risks associated with dating app use.