ID-TOUCH for Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection

(ID-TOUCH Trial)

Overseen By Alysse Wurcel, MD MS

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Boston University

Must be taking: Opioid use disorder medications

Disqualifiers: Cognitive impairment

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 3

75 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to evaluate the effectiveness of changes in HIV testing and treatment in two Boston-area jails. It focuses on identifying barriers that hinder effective HIV testing and care in these facilities. Participants will engage in the new ID-TOUCH program, which includes meetings with the study team before and after release to collect data on access to HIV services and personal experiences. This trial suits individuals currently incarcerated at South Bay House of Corrections or Nashua Street Jail, who plan to leave within a month, speak English, and participate in an opioid treatment program.

As an unphased trial, this study allows participants to contribute to important research that could enhance HIV care in correctional facilities.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It seems to focus on improving HIV testing and treatment in jails, so it's best to ask the study team for more details.

What prior data suggests that this intervention is safe for improving HIV testing and treatment in jails?

A previous study aimed to improve HIV prevention and care in jails. However, only about 10% of people were tested for HIV after one year. This low testing rate doesn't directly indicate the safety of the ID-TOUCH program, but it highlights challenges in encouraging its use.

As a pilot study, researchers are still assessing the program's effectiveness and participant responses. Pilot studies typically involve small groups to refine the approach before larger studies. Complete safety information might not yet be available, but this study is a step toward understanding how the program can enhance HIV testing and treatment in jails.

Since the program focuses on how HIV testing is offered and used in jails, researchers will closely monitor participants' comfort and experiences. This will help identify any safety issues or obstacles to using the program. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the ID-TOUCH program because it offers a unique approach to supporting individuals with HIV, especially those transitioning from incarceration to community life. Unlike standard treatments that focus solely on medication, ID-TOUCH emphasizes continuous support and data collection to better understand and improve the utilization of HIV services in both jail and community settings. By addressing self-reported high-risk behavior, perceived stigma, discrimination, and medical mistrust, this program aims to provide a more comprehensive care model that could enhance overall health outcomes for participants.

What evidence suggests that the ID-TOUCH intervention is effective for improving HIV testing and treatment in jails?

Research shows that the ID-TOUCH program aims to improve HIV testing and treatment in jails. Participants in this trial will receive the ID-TOUCH intervention during incarceration. Previous studies suggest that integrating testing with current healthcare processes can help identify and treat more HIV cases. The program examines how changes in electronic health records and testing methods impact HIV care. Although the study focuses on implementing these changes rather than their effectiveness, early efforts in similar settings have shown promise in increasing testing rates and connecting people to care. The goal is to make HIV care more accessible and effective for individuals in jails. ^{3 6 7 8 9}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Alysse Wurcel, MD MS

Principal Investigator

Boston Medical Center

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for English-speaking individuals incarcerated at South Bay House of Corrections or Nashua Street Jail, who expect to be released within a month and have Opioid Use Disorder as indicated by participation in an MOUD program or self-report.

Inclusion Criteria

I am currently incarcerated at South Bay House of Corrections or Nashua Street Jail.

I am in a program or have admitted to having an opioid addiction.

I will be released from jail within a month.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Intervention Implementation

Implementation of the ID-TOUCH intervention at two jail sites to improve HIV testing and treatment practices

4-6 weeks

Data Collection

Participants meet with the study team three times for data collection: once before release, once one week after release, and once three months after release

3 months

3 visits (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for utilization of HIV services and other health outcomes post-incarceration

3 months

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• ID-TOUCH

Trial Overview The study tests the ID-TOUCH intervention aimed at improving HIV testing practices and treatment integration with healthcare systems and MOUD programs in two Boston area jails. It evaluates changes made to electronic health records for better HIV care.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: ID-TOUCH Program Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants will receive the ID-TOUCH intervention while incarcerated and meet with the study team three times for data collection: once before release, once one week after release, and once three months after release. Information collected will include: utilization of HIV services while in jail and while in the community and an exploration of self-reported high-risk behavior, perceived stigma and discrimination, and medical mistrust.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Boston University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

494

Recruited

9,998,000+

Boston Medical Center

Lead Sponsor

Trials

410

Recruited

890,000+

Nashua Street Jail

Collaborator

Trials

1

Recruited

80+

National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)

Collaborator

Trials

2,658

Recruited

3,409,000+

South Bay House of Corrections

Collaborator

Trials

1

Recruited

80+

Citations

1. tbs-sct.canada.ca tbs-sct.canada.ca/pol/(S(fbqflz453pfvmz25lnyrgc45))/doc-eng.aspx?id=12094&section=xml

https://www.tbs-sct.canada.ca/pol/(S(fbqflz453pfvmz25lnyrgc45 ... ... in contact with human blood or other body fluids. ... virus that leads to AIDS. Many ... No effective treatment for HIV infection or AIDS is available.

2. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06679751

Infectious Disease (ID) Testing OUtreach in Carceral Hubs ... human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing. This project aims to assess the effectiveness of an intervention at two jail sites in the Boston area: South Bay ...

3. reporter.nih.gov reporter.nih.gov/project-details/11372731

Massachusetts HIV and Justice-Involved Populations ... ... in HIV testing, feasibility and acceptability, and self-reported patient outcomes. ... immunodeficiency virus testImprisonmentIndividualInfectionInterventionJail ...

4. withpower.com withpower.com/trial/phase-opioid-related-disorders-4-2025-76751

ID-TOUCH for Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection ID-TOUCH for Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection. (ID-TOUCH Trial). BS. AW ... The outcomes of interest are more implementation than effectiveness outcomes.

5. californiaaidsresearch.org californiaaidsresearch.org/funded-research/implementation-science.html

Implementation Science - CHRP Project Abstract: The advent of antiretroviral therapy (ART) has substantially improved the management of HIV/AIDS, yielding greater viral suppression, ...

6. reporter.nih.gov reporter.nih.gov/search/lWCy8f5hUE-tCOBmHCpC3A/project-details/11372731

RePORT RePORTER - National Institutes of Health (NIH) | Improvements were made to increase carceral HIV prevention and care, but one year into implementation only about 10% were HIV tested and few were initiated on ...

7. academic.oup.com academic.oup.com/ofid/article/12/8/ofaf414/8223021

Latent Healthcare Stigma Profiles and Their Association With ... Latent Healthcare Stigma Profiles and Their Association With Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Treatment and Care Outcomes Among Women With HIV ...

8. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT02076178

NCT02076178 | Study to Evaluate the Safety Tolerability ... This study is a Phase IIa, randomized, multi-site, two-arm, double-blinded study to evaluate the safety, tolerability, and acceptability of GSK1265744 long ...

9. cdc.gov cdc.gov/hiv-data/nhss/national-hiv-prevention-and-care-outcomes.html

National HIV Prevention and Care Objectives | HIV Data In 2022, over 80% of people with diagnosed HIV were linked to care within one month of diagnosis. Only 76% had received some care, 54% were retained in care, ...