Engaging Seronegative Youth to Optimize HIV Prevention Continuum
HIV, Mental Health, Substance Use
About this trial
This is an interventional prevention trial for HIV focused on measuring HIV, STI, Mental Health, Substance Use, Peer Support
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
- Youth aged 12-24
- HIV-negative status
- Able to provide informed consent
At high-risk* of HIV
- Youth will be considered at high-risk of HIV based on their responses to a screening questionnaire, which assesses - HIV status; PrEP / PEP use; gender; race/ethnicity; sexual orientation; homelessness; history of probation/incarceration; history of hospitalization for mental health issues; history of substance abuse use and treatment; and, history of STI.
Exclusion Criteria:
- Youth under 12 years of age or above 24 years of age
- HIV-positive (if you become HIV-positive, they will be invited to participate in another, related ATN study)
- Unable to understand the study procedures due to intoxication or cognitive difficulties (any youth who appear to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs will be unable to enroll in the study but invited to return at a later date)
- Unable to provide voluntary written informed consent
- Do not meet aforementioned criteria for being at high-risk of HIV
Sites / Locations
- University of California, Los Angeles
- Tulane University Health Sciences Center
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Arm 3
Arm 4
Experimental
Experimental
Experimental
Experimental
Automated Messaging & Monitoring
Peer Support
Coaching
Coaching + Peer Support
Youth randomized to the Automated Messaging and Monitoring Intervention (AMMI) arm will receive daily texts to motivate, inform, and refer youth to health care and HIV services. Message banks will focus on the HIV Prevention Continuum, with libraries of text messages dedicated to healthcare, wellness, sexual health, drug use and medication reminders (e.g., for PrEP) for young men-who-have-sex-with-men (MSM) and non-MSM. Youth will also receive a weekly monitoring survey that covers seven domains, including: use of PrEP/PEP, condomless sex, potential symptoms of acute HIV infection, potential symptoms of STI, excessive use of alcohol and/or drugs, feelings of sadness or depression, and housing or food insecurity.
Youth randomized to the Peer Support arm will be enrolled in private, online peer support groups, where they can post information and have discussions with other participants, guided broadly by topics relevant to the HIV Prevention Continuum. Peer Supporters will post to encourage and broadly guide discussion, while Coaches and Project Coordinators will be available to provide factual information (as needed), and remove inappropriate content. All youth will also receive AMMI messages.
Youth randomized to the Coaching arm will have access to a dedicated Coach for crisis management, problem-solving, linkage to HIV and related services, and care coordination. The Coach's primary means of contact with youth will be electronic - using e-mail, social media, text messages - and phone calls. In person contacts may also occur. AMMI is also provided to all youth.
Youth randomized to the Coach + Peer Support arm will be enrolled in online, private peer support groups and have access to a Coach. As well as AMMI messages.