GODDESS: Online support for young Black women to reduce alcohol use and boost PrEP in NC
Official title: GODDESS (Gathering Online for Dialogue and Discussion to Enhance Social Support): Engaging young African American women in a virtual group app to address alcohol misuse, sexual risk, and PrEP in NC
Funded at Research Triangle Institute · NIH-11402256 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A virtual group program helps young African American women at risk for HIV reduce alcohol use, address sexual risk, and increase PrEP use in North Carolina.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Research Triangle Institute NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Research Triangle Park, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2022 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $624,349 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AA030452-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11402256 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are young African American women in North Carolina who use alcohol and are at risk for HIV and HIV/STIs.
✕Less likely to help
People not at risk for HIV or not using or considering PrEP may see limited direct benefit.
What this research studies
This project adapts a proven mHealth intervention into a virtual group format to support young Black women at risk for HIV. It leverages mobile and online group discussions to reduce heavy drinking and risky sex while promoting PrEP uptake. The study partners with health departments to test scalability and engagement in a real-world setting in the U.S. South.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, it could lower HIV and STI risk by reducing alcohol-related risk behaviors and increasing PrEP use.
How similar studies have gone: Previous delivery of the intervention in person and via mobile health showed comparable outcomes, supporting potential success with a virtual group format.
Where this research is happening
-
Research Triangle Institute
Research Triangle Park, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Browne, Felicia Amira — Research Triangle Institute
- Study coordinator: Browne, Felicia Amira
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Alcohol, Gut Health, and PrEP: How a brief intervention might help HIV prevention care
A program to help people using PrEP reduce risky drinking and improve gut health so they can stay on PrEP.
-
Helping people on PrEP reduce alcohol harms and protect gut health
This project offers a brief alcohol help program (SBIRT) to people taking PrEP to reduce heavy drinking, protect gut bacteria, and help them keep using their HIV prevention medication.
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Virtual peer-support app to help young Black women reduce alcohol-related sexual risk and increase PrEP use in North Carolina
This project uses a mobile app with virtual group sessions to help young Black women in North Carolina cut back on alcohol-related risky sex and increase use of HIV prevention (PrEP).
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How alcohol use affects HIV prevention medication adherence and gut health.
This study is looking at how drinking alcohol might affect how well PrEP works for preventing HIV and how it can cause side effects that make it harder for people to stick to their medication, and it’s for individuals at risk for HIV who want to understand the best ways to manage their alcohol use while taking PrEP.
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Using a virtual group app to support young African American women in reducing alcohol misuse and improving HIV prevention.
This study is inviting young African American women in North Carolina to join a friendly online group where they can talk about drinking habits and staying safe from HIV, while also getting support and tips from peers to help them make healthier choices.
-
mChoice: Boosting PrEP Use and Adherence for Black and Latino MSM with Tailored Training and Support
A national study to help Black and Latino men who have sex with men start and stick with PrEP through culturally matched provider training and patient support.
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.