Promoting HIV testing among drug users through peer support
Prevention Ambassadors: an HIV Self-testing Intervention to Promote HIV Service Engagement in the Networks of SSP Clients
This study is testing if having peers support each other can help people who use drugs get more HIV tests and access services in Riverside County, California.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 210 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | San Diego State University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (San Diego, California) |
| Trial ID | NCT06848686 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This project aims to enhance HIV testing and service uptake among people who use drugs (PWUD) by implementing a peer-driven intervention called 'Prevention Ambassadors' (PA). In collaboration with a community-based syringe service program, the PA intervention will involve the distribution of HIV self-testing kits and local service information within the social networks of PWUD. The intervention will be piloted in Riverside County, California, to evaluate its effects, acceptability, and feasibility among participants. The approach focuses on leveraging peer influence to encourage HIV testing and access to services.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates include adults over 18 who use drugs and have a social network of other drug users.
Not a fit: Patients who do not use drugs or are not willing to engage with their social networks about HIV testing may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this intervention could significantly increase HIV testing rates and service engagement among vulnerable populations.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown that peer-driven interventions can effectively increase health service engagement among marginalized populations, suggesting potential success for this approach.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Index Participant Inclusion Criteria: * Being greater than or equal to 18 years old * Reporting drug use (past month) * Having other people who use drugs (PWUD) in one's social network * Being willing to talk about HIV testing and services with at least 2 PWUD in their networks and attempt to refer them to the study * Speaking English fluently Peer-Recruit Participant Inclusion Criteria: * Being greater than or equal to 18 years old * Reporting drug use (past 3 months) * Being recruited by an index participant (evidenced by presenting the coupon used to recruit them) * Speaking English fluently Exclusion Criteria: \- Persons who participated in formative study activities related to the development of the PA intervention will not be eligible to participate.
Where this trial is running
San Diego, California
- San Diego State University — San Diego, California, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Heather A Pines — San Diego State University
- Study coordinator: Heather Pines
- Email: hpines@sdsu.edu
- Phone: 619-594-2481
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.