Using a virtual group app to support young African American women in reducing alcohol misuse and improving HIV prevention.
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-10877060 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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.
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 | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $610,495 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AA030452-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10877060 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are young African American women in North Carolina who are at risk for HIV and may be experiencing issues related to alcohol misuse.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not identify as African American or who are not at risk for HIV may not receive benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to engage young African American women in North Carolina through a virtual group app that addresses issues related to alcohol misuse and sexual risk behaviors, particularly in the context of HIV prevention. The approach builds on previous successful interventions and incorporates mobile health technology to provide support and resources. Participants will have the opportunity to connect with peers, share experiences, and receive guidance on reducing alcohol consumption and increasing the use of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). The study seeks to create a supportive online community that fosters dialogue and discussion around these critical health issues.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved health outcomes for young African American women by reducing alcohol misuse and increasing HIV prevention strategies.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown success with similar mobile health interventions, indicating that this approach has the potential for effective scalability.
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.
-
GODDESS: Online support for young Black women to reduce alcohol use and boost PrEP in NC
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.
-
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.
-
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).
-
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.
-
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.