Prevention Strategies for HIV Among At-risk Latinos

Enrolling by invitation at 2 trial locations

Age: 18+

Sex: Male

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Medical College of Wisconsin

Disqualifiers: Cis-gender female, others

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 10

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests different methods to prevent HIV among Latino men who have sex with men and transwomen. Researchers aim to determine if a special network approach, combined with regular HIV counseling and testing, proves more effective than standard care alone. Participants will receive either standard HIV counseling and testing or the same treatment with additional support through their social networks. The trial seeks Latino men who have sex with men and transwomen living in Milwaukee, Cleveland, or Indianapolis. As an unphased trial, it offers participants the chance to contribute to innovative prevention strategies that could benefit their communities.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

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

What prior data suggests that this network intervention is safe for promoting HIV prevention?

Research has shown that network interventions for preventing HIV are generally safe. These interventions can significantly reduce the risk of new HIV cases without harming participants. For instance, one study found that these methods lowered the chance of contracting HIV by up to 72% when participants had more supportive connections in their social network.

These interventions improve communication and support among at-risk groups, encouraging regular HIV testing and prevention. Overall, network interventions are well-received and have shown promising results in reducing HIV risk without causing serious side effects. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the Network Intervention for HIV prevention among at-risk Latinos because it offers a fresh approach beyond traditional counseling and testing. Unlike standard methods that focus solely on individual behavior change, this intervention leverages social networks to spread health information and support. This approach aims to create a community-driven change, potentially increasing the reach and impact of HIV prevention efforts. By tapping into existing social connections, the Network Intervention could enhance engagement and encourage more people to participate in prevention strategies.

What evidence suggests that this trial's treatments could be effective for HIV prevention among at-risk Latinos?

Research has shown that using social networks can greatly improve HIV prevention among Latino men. In this trial, participants in one arm will receive standard HIV counseling and testing, while those in another arm will receive standard care plus a network intervention. Studies have found that people connected through social groups are more likely to adopt behaviors that lower their risk of HIV. For instance, programs that boost confidence in taking preventive actions have led to better HIV prevention habits. This includes increased awareness and use of PrEP, a medication that reduces the risk of getting HIV. Overall, sharing HIV prevention knowledge through social connections has proven to have positive effects. ^{4 6 7 8 9}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Laura R Glasman

Principal Investigator

Medical College of Wisconsin

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for Latino men who have sex with men and transwomen over 18 years old, living in Milwaukee, Cleveland, or Indianapolis. Participants must be able to consent and belong to a network where at least 80% are of Latinx descent. Cisgender females and those not identifying as homosexual or bisexual cannot join.

Inclusion Criteria

Additional inclusion criteria for networks: 80% or more of the network is of Latinx descent.

I am a Latinx man who has sex with men or a transgender woman, and I am 18 or older.

Can provide informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria

Cannot provide consent.

I am a cisgender female.

I do not identify as homosexual or bisexual nor have sex with men.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Intervention

Participants receive a network intervention to promote regular HIV testing and prevention

4 sessions

4 visits (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for regular HIV testing and prevention behaviors

18 months

Assessments at 6, 12, and 18 months

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• HIV counseling and testing
• Network intervention

Trial Overview The study tests the effectiveness of HIV prevention strategies among friendship networks through regular testing, risk reduction counseling, PrEP awareness, and referrals. It's a randomized controlled trial comparing these interventions within selected communities.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Standard of Care plus Network Intervention Experimental Treatment 2 Interventions

Network intervention

Group II: Standard of Care Active Control 1 Intervention

HIV counseling and testing

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Medical College of Wisconsin

Lead Sponsor

Trials

645

Recruited

1,180,000+

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

Collaborator

Trials

3,007

Recruited

2,852,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

The study identified key sociocultural factors influencing HIV risk among adult Latino men, highlighting barriers to healthcare access and the impact of traditional masculinity on risk behaviors.

Engaging Latino soccer leagues as social networks presents a promising strategy for developing targeted interventions to promote health and reduce sexual risk, addressing a population often overlooked by standard HIV prevention programs.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Exploring Latino men's HIV risk using community-based participatory research. Rhodes, SD., Eng, E., Hergenrather, KC., et al.[2022]

The 'Connect 'n Unite' intervention was successfully adapted for predominantly Spanish-speaking Latino men who have sex with men (MSM) and their partners, ensuring that its key elements remained effective while being culturally relevant.

The adaptation process involved qualitative methods and community engagement, resulting in a new intervention called 'Latinos en Pareja' that focuses on enhancing sexual communication, risk reduction norms, and access to culturally appropriate health services.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Adaptation of a Couple-Based HIV/STI Prevention Intervention for Latino Men Who Have Sex With Men in New York City. Martinez, O., Wu, E., Frasca, T., et al.[2021]

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6888294/

Findings from Two Adapted Social Network HIV Risk ... Discussion: This study supports the literature suggesting that interventions incorporating social networks can have positive effects on HIV prevention and ...

2. nature.com nature.com/articles/s41598-025-14006-y

A randomized clinical trial testing the effectiveness of an ... Research has shown that interventions aimed at enhancing self-efficacy can significantly improve HIV prevention behaviors among Latino men.

3. publichealth.med.miami.edu publichealth.med.miami.edu/news/news-releases/2020/social-network-interventions/index.html

Network Based-Interventions Can Have Positive Effects ... Network-Based Interventions Can Have Positive Effects on HIV Prevention and Treatment Outcomes for Latinos, Study Finds. Many Latina seasonal ...

4. jamanetwork.com jamanetwork.com/journals/jama-health-forum/fullarticle/2838806

A Call to Center Latino Members of Sexual Minority Groups ... A systematic review of HIV prevention interventions for Latino gay, bisexual, and other MSM found behavioral (eg, condomless anal intercourse, ...

5. cdc.gov cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/65/su/su6501a8.htm

The HoMBReS and HoMBReS Por un Cambio ... This CDC report describes community health workers' interventions for HIV prevention among Hispanic and Latino men.

6. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7497372/

Social Network Interventions for HIV Transmission Elimination Network interventions for HIV prevention represent a potential area for growth in a globalizing world, where persons are more easily connected to one another.

7. thelancet.com thelancet.com/journals/langlo/article/PIIS2214-109X(24)00539-4/fulltext

The effect of a social network-based intervention to ... This study aimed to examine whether a HIV status-neutral, social network-based intervention could improve testing and linkage to prevention and treatment among ...

8. harmreductionjournal.biomedcentral.com harmreductionjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12954-023-00899-3

Effects of a social network intervention on HIV seroconversion ... In the intervention arm, the HIV seroconversion hazard rate was 44% lower with 1 network female; 61% lower with 2 network females; and 72% lower ...

9. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378873324000479

The role of network communication in mediating the effect ... Network communication about HIV risk reduction mediated 24 % of the intervention's effect. •. Our findings support increasing communication ...