AWAITS: A Web-based E-health Application for Active Illicit Opioid Users (AWAITS)

A Web-based E-health Application for Active Illicit Opioid Users Providing Information About Overdose and Infection Risk Factors and Encouraging HCV/HIV Testing and Medication Assisted Treatment Seeking

The purpose of this research study is to: assess how participants like the AWAITS e-health application as measured by their feedback on the intervention test the impact of AWAITS on knowledge about opioid overdose and risk-reduction strategies. assess the proportion of participants who accept a list of local treatment providers test the impact of AWAITS on interest in being tested for HCV/HIV.

The pre-post study of AWAITS will: 1) assess the acceptability of AWAITS as measured by participant feedback about the intervention; 2) test the impact of AWAITS on knowledge about opioid overdose, as measured by the OOTAS; 3) assess the proportion of participants who accept a list of local MAT treatment providers; and 4) test the impact of AWAITS on interest in being tested for HCV/HIV. The acceptability of AWAITS will be assessed with a feedback form which includes questions about how helpful the intervention was (scale of 1-4), what the patient liked most and least about the intervention, and any suggestions for improving it. The average (and standard deviation) for the rated helpfulness of the intervention will be derived and the qualitative data about what they liked most and least about the intervention and suggestions for improvement will be tabulated. Pre-/post-changes in the percent of correct knowledge assessment items (i.e., about overdose and MAT) and interest in HCV/HIV testing will be analyzed using a Wilcoxon signed-rank test. The proportion of participants accepting a list of local MAT treatment providers will be calculated.

Participants who meet criteria will receive the AWAITS self-administered, e-health application intervention.

AWAITS is a self-administered, e-health application and includes short videos in which patients who are successfully engaged in MAT discuss what they wish they had known about MAT when they were actively using. The intervention is designed to maximize "scalability" - the administration would entail handing an electronic device (e.g., tablet, laptop, etc.) to an individual who would then self-administer the intervention.

Inclusion Criteria: At least 18 years of age Not enrolled in MAT per self-report Self-reports illicit opioid use Exclusion Criteria: 3. Does not acknowledge reviewing "Information Sheet for Research" within REDCap