Improving HIV treatment adherence for stimulant-using men
Official title: Supporting Treatment Adherence for Resilience and Thriving (START): A mHealth intervention to improve ART adherence for HIV-positive stimulant-using men
Funded at Florida International University · NIH-10898254 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new mobile health program called START to help HIV-positive men who use stimulants, like methamphetamine, stick to their treatment and improve their health over six months, while also checking how well it works over a year.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Florida International University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Miami, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $109,548 |
| NIH project number | 3R01DA049843-05S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10898254 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are HIV-positive men who use stimulants and may struggle with adhering to their treatment regimens.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not use stimulants or are not HIV-positive are unlikely to benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on enhancing adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) among HIV-positive men who use stimulants, particularly methamphetamine. It employs a mobile health (mHealth) intervention called START, which combines two evidence-based behavioral strategies to support patients in managing their HIV treatment. The study will involve a randomized controlled trial with 350 participants, comparing the effectiveness of the START intervention against a control group receiving standard information and resources. The primary goal is to improve viral load suppression within six months and assess the sustainability of these improvements over a year.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better health outcomes for HIV-positive stimulant users by improving their treatment adherence and reducing viral loads.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using behavioral interventions to improve treatment adherence among similar populations, indicating that this approach may be effective.
Where this research is happening
-
Florida International University
Miami, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Carrico, Adam Wayne — Florida International University
- Study coordinator: Carrico, Adam Wayne
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Improving HIV treatment adherence for stimulant-using men
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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.