Helping parents support healthy sexual communication to reduce HIV risk in adolescent boys who have sex with boys
RCT of a parent-focused intervention to reduce HIV risk in adolescent MSM
This study is testing a program called PATHS that helps parents talk openly with their teenage sons about sexuality and HIV, aiming to reduce the risk of HIV and encourage more testing among young men who have sex with men.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | George Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Washington, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11036258 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research focuses on a parent-centered intervention aimed at reducing HIV risk and increasing HIV testing among adolescent men who have sex with men (AMSM). The program, called Parents and Adolescents Talking about Healthy Sexuality (PATHS), encourages parents to engage in open discussions about sexuality and HIV with their children. By enhancing parent-child communication and promoting supportive behaviors, the intervention seeks to empower families to address sexual health proactively. The study will evaluate the effectiveness of this approach through a randomized controlled trial involving diverse parent-teen pairs.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research include parents of adolescent boys aged 12-20 who identify as men who have sex with men.
Not a fit: Patients who are not adolescents or do not have parents involved in their sexual health discussions may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly reduce HIV transmission rates among adolescent men who have sex with men by fostering healthier communication and behaviors within families.
How similar studies have performed: Previous pilot studies have shown promising results for similar parent-focused interventions, indicating potential for success in this larger trial.
Where this research is happening
Washington, United States
- George Washington University — Washington, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Huebner, David M — George Washington University
- Study coordinator: Huebner, David M
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 below.