Behavioral therapy to improve HIV prevention in sexual minority individuals
Official title: Development of a Behavioral Economic Intervention to Improve HIV-related Behaviors Among Sexual Minority Individuals
Run by The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio · NCT06745947 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new therapy to see if it can help sexual minority individuals reduce drug use and risky sexual behaviors while sticking to their HIV prevention medication.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years to 34 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 60 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio Academic / other |
| Drugs / interventions | chemotherapy |
| Locations | 1 site (San Antonio, Texas) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | March 3, 2025 |
| Main results expected | January 1, 2027 |
| Study ends | July 1, 2027 |
| Registry record updated | September 23, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT06745947 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates are HIV-negative adults aged 18-34 who identify as gay, bisexual, or transgender and have a history of recent methamphetamine use.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients who are currently receiving treatment for substance use disorders or are HIV positive may not benefit from this study.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This research tests a behavioral therapy called Episodic Future Thinking (EFT) aimed at reducing drug use and risky sexual behaviors while enhancing adherence to HIV prevention medication (PrEP). Participants will be randomly assigned to either receive standard care, which includes counseling on HIV prevention and drug use reduction, or standard care plus the EFT program, which involves planning for future goals through a mobile app and counseling sessions. The study will include qualitative interviews in its first phase and a pilot randomized controlled trial in its second phase to evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this intervention could significantly improve adherence to HIV prevention strategies among at-risk sexual minority individuals.
How similar studies have gone: Other studies have shown promise in using behavioral interventions to improve health outcomes in similar populations, suggesting potential success for this approach.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Adults 18 - 34 years of age * HIV negative (assessed via Rapid HIV Antibody Test) * Identify as gay, or bisexual * Recent (past 3 months) methamphetamine use * Currently prescribed and taking HIV PrEP medication * Self-reported HIV PrEP nonadherence in the past three months * Urine screen test for PrEP nonadherence * Self-reported condomless anal sex or a STI in the past three months * Able to attend all study visits * Fluent in English Exclusion Criteria: * Currently receiving treatment for any substance use disorder, * HIV positive * Having a medical or psychiatric illness that in the opinion of the PI would interfere with study participation * Unable to provide informed consent * Unable to attend protocol directed study visits * Any plans that would preclude study completion (e.g. surgery, major medical treatments such as chemotherapy, incarceration, travel/moving out of San Antonio, Texas)
Where it's running
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University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
San Antonio, Texas, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Emeka Okafor, PhD, MPH — The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
- Study coordinator: Emeka Okafor, PhD, MPH
- Email: okaforcn@uthscsa.edu
- Phone: 210-450-7377
Similar studies
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.