Behavioral therapy to improve HIV prevention in sexual minority individuals
Development of a Behavioral Economic Intervention to Improve HIV-related Behaviors Among Sexual Minority Individuals
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
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 60 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 34 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio Academic / other |
| Drugs / interventions | chemotherapy |
| Locations | 1 site (San Antonio, Texas) |
| Trial ID | NCT06745947 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
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.
Who should consider this trial
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.
Not a fit: Patients who are currently receiving treatment for substance use disorders or are HIV positive may not benefit from this study.
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 performed: Other studies have shown promise in using behavioral interventions to improve health outcomes in similar populations, suggesting potential success for this approach.
Eligibility criteria
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 this trial is running
San Antonio, Texas
- 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
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.