Improving HIV treatment adherence for stimulant-using men
Supporting Treatment Adherence for Resilience and Thriving (START): A mHealth intervention to improve ART adherence for HIV-positive stimulant-using men
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 ID | NIH-10898254 on NIH RePORTER |
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.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are HIV-positive men who use stimulants and may struggle with adhering to their treatment regimens.
Not a fit: Patients who do not use stimulants or are not HIV-positive are unlikely to benefit from this research.
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 performed: 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
Miami, United States
- Florida International University — Miami, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Carrico, Adam Wayne — Florida International University
- Study coordinator: Carrico, Adam Wayne
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.