Social Network Strategies for Increasing PrEP Use in HIV/AIDS

(SNAP Trial)

Recruiting at 1 trial location

Age: Any Age

Sex: Male

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Medical College of Wisconsin

Must be taking: PrEP

Disqualifiers: HIV-positive, Not male at birth, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

500 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

This study evaluates the use of a social-network approach to encourage African-American men who have sex with men (AAMSM) to adopt pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to prevent HIV infection. Thirty-six networks of AAMSM will be recruited in Milwaukee, WI, and Cleveland, OH. Half of these networks will have their leaders trained to endorse PrEP to their social network members, and the other half will be given brief HIV prevention counseling.

Do I need to stop my current medications to join the trial?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Brief HIV Prevention Counseling, Social Network for increasing PrEP use in HIV/AIDS?

Research shows that social networks can play a significant role in increasing awareness and uptake of PrEP (a medication to prevent HIV) by facilitating communication and support among individuals. Studies have found that network interventions can help spread information and encourage PrEP use, especially among high-risk groups like women who inject drugs and young men who have sex with men. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is the social network strategy for increasing PrEP use safe for humans?

The research articles focus on the role of social networks in increasing awareness and use of PrEP (a medication to prevent HIV), but they do not provide specific safety data about the social network strategy itself. PrEP, the medication involved, is generally considered safe for humans. ^{4 5 6 7 8}

How does the Social Network treatment for increasing PrEP use in HIV/AIDS differ from other treatments?

The Social Network treatment is unique because it focuses on leveraging social connections and networks to increase the use of PrEP (a medication to prevent HIV) among high-risk groups, rather than relying solely on individual-level interventions. This approach aims to enhance communication and support within social networks to improve PrEP uptake and adherence. ^{1 2 4 9 10}

Research Team

Jeffrey A. Kelly, PhD

Principal Investigator

Medical College of Wisconsin

Yuri A. Amirkhanian, PhD

Principal Investigator

Medical College of Wisconsin

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for African-American men who have sex with men (AAMSM) in Milwaukee and Cleveland. Participants must be male at birth, 16 or older, and have had a male sexual partner in the last year. Over half of each participant's network must also join and report being HIV-negative.

Inclusion Criteria

I was assigned male at birth.

I'm sorry, but "NETWORKS" is not a clinical trial exclusion criterion. Can you please provide more context or information?

More than 49% of all network members must self-report as HIV-negative at baseline

Exclusion Criteria

Less than half of my eligible friends agree to join.

Except for the seed, individuals must not be named as a friend by an already-enrolled participant

For the seed only, individuals must self-report as HIV-positive serostatus

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Baseline Counseling

All participants receive individual baseline counseling about risk reduction and PrEP, with referral offered to clinics prescribing PrEP

1 session

Intervention

Leaders in the experimental condition networks attend a 5-session intervention to train and support them in promoting PrEP within their networks

5 sessions

Booster Sessions

Two additional booster sessions spaced monthly to support maintenance of leaders' efforts in promoting PrEP

2 months

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in PrEP use, knowledge, attitudes, and other behavioral measures at 6- and 15-month follow-up points

15 months

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Brief HIV Prevention Counseling
• Social Network

Trial Overview The study tests if training leaders within AAMSM social networks to endorse PrEP can increase its use compared to just giving brief HIV prevention counseling. Networks are randomly chosen for one of these two approaches.

Participant Groups

Group I: Social Network Approach Experimental Treatment 2 Interventions

Participants will receive brief HIV counseling at baseline visit. Leaders of social networks will be determined using data from participants. These leaders will then be invited to attend a 5-session small-group training that will teach them how to communicate the benefits of PrEP to their social network members. All social network members will be asked about intervention exposure at 6- and 15-month followups.

Group II: Comparison Active Control 1 Intervention

Participants will receive brief HIV counseling at baseline visit.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Medical College of Wisconsin

Lead Sponsor

Trials

645

Recruited

1,180,000+

References

1. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Motivations for PrEP-Related Interpersonal Communication Among Women Who Inject Drugs: A Qualitative Egocentric Network Study. [2021]

2. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Network Modeling of PrEP Uptake on Referral Networks and Health Venue Utilization Among Young Men Who Have Sex with Men. [2019]

3. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A Pragmatic Randomized Controlled Trial to Increase PrEP Uptake for HIV Prevention: 55-Week Results From PrEPChicago. [2023]

4. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Role of Social and Sexual Network Factors in PrEP Utilization Among YMSM and Transgender Women in Chicago. [2021]

5. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Social Networks and Its Impact on Women's Awareness, Interest, and Uptake of HIV Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP): Implications for Women Experiencing Intimate Partner Violence. [2020]

6. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The Role of Social Relationships in PrEP Uptake and Use Among Transgender Women and Men Who Have Sex with Men. [2020]

7. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Low Disclosure of PrEP Nonadherence and HIV-Risk Behaviors Associated With Poor HIV PrEP Adherence in the HPTN 067/ADAPT Study. [2022]

8. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Get PrEPPT (pre-exposure prophylaxis and pregnancy termination): an exploration of the values, attitudes and preferences regarding HIV and PrEP among women seeking abortion. [2021]

9. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The Association Between Homophily on Illicit Drug Use and PrEP Conversations Among Latino Men Who Have Sex with Men Friends: A Dyadic Network and Spatially Explicit Study. [2023]

10. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Using social networks to recruit an HIV vaccine preparedness cohort. [2021]