Abstract
BACKGROUND: Deaf persons are considered a high-risk population for health disparities. During the covid-19 epidemic, deaf persons also suffer from psychological issues, post-traumatic stress disorder, and seropositive HIV. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to examine the effectiveness of an mobile health educational program to increase mental health and HIV prevention among deaf community. METHODS: This study employs a quasi-experimental design with a non-randomized controlled trial, involving single-blinded participants and a parallel group assignment, purpose for health service research, study phase 2-3. pronounced to escalate the sample size to 40 deaf per group, which is 80 total participants. RESULTS: The analysis of the data will be conducted utilizing the generalized estimation equation, with a confidence interval set at 95%. Significant differences, both between and within groups, will be identified at a threshold of P<.05. The findings of this study highlight the efficacy of a mobile educational program in enhancing mental health and preventing HIV within the deaf community. Furthermore, the outcomes of this research will augment existing knowledge regarding psychological distress, HIV prevention practices, and coping self-efficacy among individuals who are deaf. CONCLUSION: The intervention group is expected to demonstrate significantly lower scores in psychological distress during both the immediate evaluation and the assessment conducted three months post-intervention, compared to the wait-list group. Additionally, the intervention group is anticipated to exhibit enhanced levels of HIV prevention practices and coping self-efficacy, resulting in a greater degree of adjustment. CLINICAL TRIAL: SLCTR/2024/039, 25 November 2024, https://slctr.lk/trials/slctr-2024-039.