Text messaging program to reduce HIV risk among dental patients
Texting in Community Health Center Dental Clinics to Reduce HIV Risk
This study tests whether sending text messages about HIV prevention can help dental patients who are at risk for HIV stay safer.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 266 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Boston University Academic / other |
| Locations | 2 sites (Boston, Massachusetts and 1 other locations) |
| Trial ID | NCT06088277 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This study evaluates the effectiveness of a text message-based intervention aimed at reducing HIV risk among dental patients at four community health centers. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either text messages focused on HIV prevention or general wellness. The study will first conduct a feasibility pilot with a small group before enrolling a larger cohort of 266 participants. The intervention targets individuals who are HIV-negative but have at least one risk factor for HIV, and recruitment will be conducted in both English and Spanish.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are English or Spanish-speaking dental patients with at least one risk factor for HIV who are HIV-negative.
Not a fit: Patients who are already HIV-positive or do not have access to mobile phones capable of receiving text messages may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this program could significantly reduce the risk of HIV transmission among at-risk populations.
How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown success with text message interventions for health promotion, indicating potential for this approach to be effective.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Give informed consent and document consent via a signed and dated informed consent form in REDCap * Willing to comply with all study procedures and be available for the duration of the study * Be able to read either in English or Spanish * Be a dental clinic patient of record at one of our participating community health centers * Has at least one risk factor for HIV defined as self-report of at least one of the following: Men who have sex with men; multiple sex partners, or intravenous drug use Exclusion Criteria: * Self-report of having HIV infection * Participating in another HIV study or another text message study * A woman who reports having sex exclusively with women * Does not have a mobile phone or other device which can receive text messages from Agile Health * Does not have unlimited texting on their mobile plan * Has not used any type of text messaging at least once in the past month * Single item literacy screening score of 2 or below.
Where this trial is running
Boston, Massachusetts and 1 other locations
- South End Community Health Center — Boston, Massachusetts, United States (Recruiting)
- East Boston Neighborhood Health Center — Boston, Massachusetts, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Michelle Henshaw, DDS, MPH — Boston University Goldman School of Dental Medicine
- Study coordinator: Michelle Henshaw, DDS, MPH
- Email: mhenshaw@bu.edu
- Phone: :617-358-6111
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.