Trauma intervention to improve HIV prevention for women who inject drugs

Efficacy of a Trauma Intervention for Affect Regulation, Adherence, and Substance Use to Optimize PrEP for Women Who Inject Drugs

Not applicable Interventional Drexel University · NCT05192434

This study is testing a new program to see if helping women who inject drugs deal with trauma can lower their chances of getting HIV while also encouraging them to stick to their medication and avoid drug use.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment240 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexFemale
SponsorDrexel University Academic / other
Locations1 site (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)
Trial IDNCT05192434 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This clinical trial aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a trauma intervention called TIARAS in reducing the risk of HIV acquisition among women who inject drugs (WWID). Participants will engage in a 12-month program that includes contingency management to encourage adherence to pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and abstinence from drug use. The study will randomly assign participants to receive either the trauma intervention combined with contingency management or an attention-control condition. The trial will assess both immediate and lasting effects of the intervention on HIV risk reduction.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are HIV-negative cisgender women aged 18 and older who have a history of non-prescription injection drug use and are either new or non-adherent PrEP patients.

Not a fit: Patients who are not women who inject drugs or those who are already adherent to PrEP may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this intervention could significantly lower the risk of HIV among women who inject drugs, improving their overall health outcomes.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown success with similar trauma-informed approaches in HIV prevention, indicating potential for this intervention.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

a) HIV-negative cisgender female, b) age ≥ 18 years, c) speaks/reads English d) reporting past 6 months day non-prescription injection drug use and any of the following: NEW PrEP PATIENT: prescribed daily oral or injectable PrEP at Prevention Point Philadelphia or Courage Medicine within 30 days. For injectable PrEP, they will be considered new if they have received a prescription but are within two weeks of receiving their first injection. or NON-ADHERENT DAILY ORAL PrEP PATIENT: initiated PrEP at Prevention Point Philadelphia or Courage Medicine 30 or more days ago who reports any non-adherence or reports consistent adherence but has PrEP-related drug levels indicating non-adherence (verified with urine-based tenofovir testing) or NON-ADHERENT INJECTABLE PrEP PATIENT: initiated injectable PrEP at Prevention Point Philadelphia or Courage Medicine but is 8 or more days late to receive their next injection (verified in participant's electronic medical record)

Exclusion Criteria:

a) Unable to provide informed consent; b); unwilling or unable to return to the SSP daily for the next 90 days; c) unwilling to provide specimen for PrEP-related clinical monitoring and adherence monitoring; d) pregnant.

Where this trial is running

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions HIV InfectionsOpioid UseTrauma, PsychologicalPrEPPreexposure ProphylaxisWWIDWomen who inject drugs
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.