250 Participants Needed

Positive Peers App for HIV

(PoPIT Trial)

Recruiting at 5 trial locations
JM
AA
HO
Overseen ByHerberth Osorio, MPH
Age: < 65
Sex: Any
Trial Phase: Academic
Sponsor: MetroHealth Medical Center
No Placebo GroupAll trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)
Approved in 1 JurisdictionThis treatment is already approved in other countries

Trial Summary

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 data supports the effectiveness of the Positive Peers treatment for HIV?

Research shows that the Positive Peers app helps young people with HIV by providing a supportive community, reducing stigma, and improving engagement in care, which can lead to better health outcomes like viral suppression.12345

Is the Positive Peers App safe for use in humans?

The available research on the Positive Peers App does not report any safety concerns, suggesting it is generally safe for use in humans.12678

How is the Positive Peers App treatment different from other HIV treatments?

The Positive Peers App is unique because it provides a virtual community for young people living with HIV, helping to reduce stigma and improve clinical outcomes by offering peer support and engagement in care, unlike traditional medical treatments that focus solely on medication.12379

What is the purpose of this trial?

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if the Positive Peers mobile app intervention increases rates of viral suppression in young (13-34 y/o) persons with HIV.Does use of the Positive Peers app improve viral suppression among young minority persons with HIV? What user characteristics are associated with a) viral suppression, b) retention in care, and c) perceived HIV-related stigma?Participants will:* download the mobile app onto their personal smartphone* Use the mobile app as they find useful* complete online surveys at enrollment, 3 mo, 6, mo, 9 mo and 12 months.

Research Team

AA

Ann Avery, MD

Principal Investigator

MetroHealth/ CWRU

MS

Mary Step, PhD

Principal Investigator

Kent State University

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for young people aged 13-34 with HIV, particularly from minority groups. Participants need to have a personal smartphone to download and use the Positive Peers mobile app and be willing to complete online surveys over a year at specified intervals.

Inclusion Criteria

HIV+
I identify as part of a minority group.
One of the following: Newly diagnosed within the last 12 months, Out of care (Not seen in the last 12 months), Not virally suppressed (viral load > 200 copies in the last 12 months), Has a working smartphone, Functional English ability

Exclusion Criteria

Prior use of Positive Peers mobile app

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Enrollment and Baseline

Participants complete a baseline survey and download the Positive Peers app

1 week
1 visit (in-person or virtual)

Immediate Start Intervention

Participants in the immediate start arm begin using the Positive Peers app

12 months
Online surveys at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months

Delayed Start Intervention

Participants in the delayed start arm begin using the Positive Peers app after a 6-month delay

12 months
Online surveys at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for viral suppression and retention in care

18 months

Treatment Details

Interventions

  • Positive Peers
Trial Overview The study is testing whether the Positive Peers mobile app can help increase rates of viral suppression in participants. It also aims to identify user characteristics linked with better health outcomes, retention in care, and reduced perceived stigma related to HIV.
Participant Groups
3Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Active Control
Group I: Immediate StartExperimental Treatment1 Intervention
Participants in the immediate start arm will download and begin use of the Positive Peers app at the enrollment visit.
Group II: Observational CohortActive Control1 Intervention
Participants in the observational cohort have declined participation in the clinical trial but agree to do the baseline survey and have medical outcomes data recorded.
Group III: Delayed StartActive Control1 Intervention
Participants in the delayed start arm will download and begin use of the Positive Peers app 6 months after enrollment

Positive Peers is already approved in United States for the following indications:

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ
Approved in United States as Positive Peers for:
  • Support for HIV care and management among young adults (13-34 years old)

Find a Clinic Near You

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

MetroHealth Medical Center

Lead Sponsor

Trials
125
Recruited
22,600+

Kent State University

Collaborator

Trials
46
Recruited
6,900+

Findings from Research

The Positive Peers App (PPA) significantly improved HIV care outcomes for younger users (ages 13-24), with users being 2.85 times more likely to obtain necessary HIV lab tests and 4.2 times more likely to achieve sustained viral suppression compared to nonusers.
This pilot study, involving 259 participants, suggests that the PPA is a valuable tool for engaging young people in HIV care, and it is being adopted in other areas to help combat the HIV epidemic, although further validation is needed.
Using the Positive Peers Mobile App to Improve Clinical Outcomes for Young People With HIV: Prospective Observational Cohort Comparison.Step, MM., McMillen Smith, J., Lewis, SA., et al.[2023]
The Positive Peers smartphone application effectively creates a supportive virtual community for young people living with HIV, helping to reduce perceived stigma over time, particularly among different ethnic groups.
Participants reported that the app fostered a sense of belonging and improved self-image, suggesting that mobile health applications can play a crucial role in managing the psychosocial aspects of living with HIV.
Positive Peers Mobile Application Reduces Stigma Perception Among Young People Living With HIV.Step, MM., Knight, K., McMillen Smith, J., et al.[2023]
The Positive Links smartphone app facilitated social support among 55 participants living with HIV over 8 months, with 52% of analyzed posts providing support, primarily emotional in nature.
Participants reported feeling a sense of connection and support through the app, although some faced technical issues that hindered their full engagement, highlighting the app's potential to improve care for those unable to access in-person support.
Social Support in a Virtual Community: Analysis of a Clinic-Affiliated Online Support Group for Persons Living with HIV/AIDS.Flickinger, TE., DeBolt, C., Waldman, AL., et al.[2018]

References

Using the Positive Peers Mobile App to Improve Clinical Outcomes for Young People With HIV: Prospective Observational Cohort Comparison. [2023]
Positive Peers Mobile Application Reduces Stigma Perception Among Young People Living With HIV. [2023]
Social Support in a Virtual Community: Analysis of a Clinic-Affiliated Online Support Group for Persons Living with HIV/AIDS. [2018]
PositiveLinks: A Mobile Health Intervention for Retention in HIV Care and Clinical Outcomes with 12-Month Follow-Up. [2019]
Toward understanding the impact of mHealth features for people with HIV: a latent class analysis of PositiveLinks usage. [2022]
Long term impact of PositiveLinks: Clinic-deployed mobile technology to improve engagement with HIV care. [2020]
Use of a Mobile Health Intervention by Older Versus Younger People with HIV: Analysis of Usage, Social Support, and Network Interactions. [2023]
Positive Health Check intervention tool usage during a feasibility pilot in HIV primary care clinics. [2023]
An Implementation Strategy to Expand Mobile Health Use in HIV Care Settings: Rapid Evaluation Study Using the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research. [2021]
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