An AI-based chatbot for doxycycline as post-exposure prophylaxis among men who have SEX with men - bacterial sexually transmitted infections (STIS)-including syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia-are…

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases awarded The Miriam Hospital $426,741 on September 12, 2025, under the Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research program (CFDA 93.855) to develop and pilot-test SAI, an AI-based chatbot designed to promote doxycycline post-exposure prophylaxis (Doxy-PEP) uptake among men who have sex with men for bacterial sexually transmitted infection prevention.

The recipient is developing a chatbot powered by the latest ChatGPT model that assesses STI risk and stage of change using the transtheoretical model, delivers stage-appropriate education, and employs motivational interviewing techniques to support Doxy-PEP adoption. The first project aim tailors SAI to deliver MI-based counseling promoting Doxy-PEP uptake. The second aim conducts an open pilot trial with 25 adult MSM recruited via social media to evaluate the chatbot's accuracy, usability, appropriateness, and user satisfaction, followed by iterative refinement. The study aims to demonstrate the feasibility of scaling behavioral interventions for STI prevention using AI.

Performance runs from September 12, 2025, through August 31, 2027, with place of performance in Providence, Rhode Island. Brown University serves as a sub-recipient, with sub-award dates of July 13, 2026, and September 1, 2026, contributing to the research design and implementation. The award is a Project Grant assistance type.

An AI-based chatbot for doxycycline as post-exposure prophylaxis among men who have SEX with men - bacterial sexually transmitted infections (STIS)-including syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia-are increasing in the united states, with disproportionately high rates among men who have SEX with men (MSM). These infections can lead to serious health complications such as neurological and cardiovascular syphilis, infertility, pelvic inflammatory disease, and increased HIV transmission. Doxycycline, a widely available and safe antibiotic, has shown promise as post-exposure prophylaxis (DOXY-PEP) to prevent bacterial STIS. Motivational interviewing (MI) is effective in promoting HIV prevention behaviors, especially when paired with the transtheoretical model (TTM) to assess readiness for change and tailor messaging. However, traditional MI requires multiple sessions and is resource-intensive. This pilot study aims to overcome those limitations by developing and testing SAI (STI prevention AI-chatbot), an AI-based chatbot powered by the latest chatgpt model. In specific aim 1, SAI will be tailored to assess STI risk and TTM stage, deliver stage-appropriate education, and use MI-based counseling to promote DOXY-PEP uptake among MSM. In specific aim 2, we will conduct an open pilot trial with 25 adult MSM recruited via social media to evaluate SAI's accuracy, usability, appropriateness, and user satisfaction, followed by iterative refinement. If successful, this study will demonstrate the feasibility of using AI to scale behavioral interventions for STI prevention and support broader implementation of DOXY-PEP strategies among high-risk populations. Modified project title an AI-based chatbot for doxycycline as post-exposure prophylaxis among men who have SEX with men