Helping adolescent males talk with trusted adults about sexual health and HIV prevention
Prepping for The Talk: Helping Trusted Adults and Youth Talk About Sexual Health
This project will try a program to help 14–17-year-old males who have sex with males talk with trusted adults, find a trusted adult if needed, and learn ways to protect their sexual health while keeping privacy.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 40 (estimated) |
| Ages | 14 Years to 17 Years |
| Sex | Male |
| Sponsor | Rhode Island Hospital Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Providence, Rhode Island) |
| Trial ID | NCT07011563 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
Participants who are 14–17, assigned male, and have had oral or anal sex with a male will be enrolled and assigned to either an intervention or a control condition. The intervention offers communication tools, guidance on finding and engaging trusted adults, and information about HIV prevention and other sexual-health options while protecting youth privacy. Outcomes will focus on changes in conversation frequency and openness with trusted adults, knowledge of prevention methods, and self-reported protective behaviors. The work is led by Rhode Island Hospital with support from the National Institute of Mental Health and is conducted through the study site in Providence, Rhode Island.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are 14–17-year-old adolescents assigned male who have had oral or anal sex with a male, live in the United States, and speak English.
Not a fit: Youth who are not comfortable engaging with adults about sexual topics, who do not speak English, who are not assigned male or have not had male sexual contact, or who prefer only clinical prevention services rather than communication support may not benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the program could help teens have clearer, safer conversations with trusted adults and increase use of HIV prevention methods.
How similar studies have performed: Previous parent–teen communication programs have shown some success in improving conversations and safer-sex behaviors, though targeted interventions for adolescent males who have sex with males are less common.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Age 14-17 * Assigned male * Oral OR anal sex with an assigned male * Live in the United States * English-speaking Exclusion Criteria: * None
Where this trial is running
Providence, Rhode Island
- Rhode Island Hospital — Providence, Rhode Island, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Jack Rusley, MD, MHS — Brown University Health
- Study coordinator: Jack Rusley, MD, MHS
- Email: jack.rusley@brownhealth.org
- Phone: 401-444-5980
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.