Enhancing HIV prevention and substance use services for young survivors of sexual assault
Official title: Improving HIV Prevention and Substance Use Post-Sexual Assault Services for Adolescents and Young Adults
Funded at University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston · NIH-11146915 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking to make healthcare easier for young people who have gone through sexual violence by adding same-day HIV prevention and help for substance use to the care they already receive, and it will involve talking to survivors to make sure these services really fit their needs.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project start | June 15, 2025 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $672,206 |
| NIH project number | 1R34DA063014-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11146915 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adolescents and young adults who have experienced sexual violence and are seeking medical care.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have not experienced sexual violence or are outside the adolescent and young adult age range may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to improve access to healthcare services for adolescents and young adults who have experienced sexual violence. It focuses on integrating same-day HIV prophylaxis and substance use prevention into existing care provided by sexual assault nurse examiners. By conducting interviews with survivors and key informants, the study seeks to tailor these services to better meet the needs of young survivors. The goal is to create a supportive environment that addresses both HIV risks and substance misuse effectively.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly reduce the long-term health risks associated with HIV and substance misuse for young survivors of sexual assault.
How similar studies have gone: While there is limited research specifically targeting this intersection of services, similar approaches in integrating healthcare for trauma survivors have shown promise in other contexts.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Santa Maria, Diane M. — University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston
- Study coordinator: Santa Maria, Diane M.
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Improving HIV Prevention and Substance Use Care after Sexual Assault for Adolescents and Young Adults
A pilot study aims to make HIV prevention and substance use support more available for teens and young adults who have experienced sexual violence.
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MY-RIDE: a real-time mobile program to reduce HIV risk and substance use among youth experiencing homelessness
A mobile program delivers personalized messages and coaching to youth aged 18-25 who are homeless, aiming to reduce drug use and increase HIV prevention like PrEP and condom use.
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MY-RIDE: A mobile health program for HIV prevention and substance use in youth experiencing homelessness
This program offers a mobile health app called MY-RIDE to help young people experiencing homelessness reduce substance use and prevent HIV.
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Creating a mobile app to help women in the carceral system access HIV prevention and substance use treatment.
This study is creating a helpful mobile app to make it easier for women in the criminal justice system to access HIV prevention and treatment for substance use, while also listening to their thoughts on these services to improve their healthcare experience.
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Improving HIV prevention and substance use support for homeless youth
This study is testing a helpful mobile program called MY-RIDE that aims to support young people experiencing homelessness in staying safe from HIV and reducing substance use, by sending them personalized messages and feedback based on their needs, all while being easy to access even if they don’t have stable housing.
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A peer-led program to help young drug users in India with HIV prevention and treatment.
This study is helping young people in India who use drugs and are at risk for HIV by making it easier for them to get treatment and support from their peers at local health centers.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.