318 Participants NeededMy employer runs this trial

Mobile Enhanced Prevention Support for HIV Prevention and Substance Use Disorder

Recruiting at 2 trial locations
SD
Overseen ByStudy Director
Age: 18 - 65
Sex: Male
Trial Phase: Academic
Sponsor: University of California, Los Angeles
No Placebo GroupAll trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

The California Hub for HIV/SUD Prevention Research with Reentry Populations addresses the question: "Can the evidence-based MEPS intervention be adapted and implemented at a range of organizations to effectively serve a wider range of clients?"

The Mobile Enhanced Prevention Support (MEPS) intervention was originally implemented in Los Angeles County and was proven successful in promoting biomedical HIV prevention (PrEP) uptake and preventative screenings in people who used drugs who recently left incarceration. MEPS is an evidence-based intervention for people with substance use disorders (SUD) that incorporates a client-centered planning session, including trained peer mentors, service utilization incentives, and a mobile application (GeoPass).

The study includes a randomized controlled trial (RCT) across three community partners located in Riverside and Alameda Counties. At least 300 people will be enrolled in these three counties; the first 200 will be randomized to either receive the intervention or usual care, with the final 100 all receiving the intervention. The primary implementation outcome for the study involves using an implementation science framework and assessment tools to examine MEPS's implementation. Key outcomes include how well the implementation strategies used support intervention enrollment and retention, integration with existing services in each partnering community agency, and perceived intervention acceptability, feasibility, appropriateness, and maintenance at 6- and 12-months. The primary effectiveness outcome for the study is an increase in HIV testing, PrEP uptake and adherence, and SUD service utilization at 6 months and 12 months in the MEPS compared to the usual care group. Secondary effectiveness outcomes include frequency of service use for SUDs, hepatitis C virus testing, and linkage to care for those who test positive for HIV or hepatitis C.

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

Inclusion Criteria

In the past 24 months, I have had sex with a man or used injection drugs.
Has not received an HIV diagnosis (based on self-report)
Plans to reside within designated jurisdictions (counties) for the 9 months following enrollment
See 7 more

Exclusion Criteria

RCT Participants who have insufficient reading skills to operate a mobile application on a cell phone
I do not speak or understand English.
I do not have a smartphone and am not willing to get one.
See 1 more

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Client-centered Planning Session

All participants receive a client-centered planning session following enrollment, conducted by phone, video, or in person.

1 session
1 visit (in-person or virtual)

Treatment

Participants in the intervention arm receive the MEPS intervention, including 14 sessions with a peer mentor over 6 months, cash incentives, and use of the GeoPass app.

6 months
14 sessions (in-person or virtual)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for effectiveness and adherence to PrEP, HIV testing, and SUD service utilization at 6 and 12 months.

12 months
2 visits (in-person or virtual) at 6 and 12 months

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

  • Mobile Enhanced Prevention Support (MEPS)

How Is the Trial Designed?

2

Treatment groups

Experimental Treatment

Active Control

Group I: MEPS ArmExperimental Treatment1 Intervention
Group II: Control ArmActive Control1 Intervention

Find a Clinic Near You

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of California, Los Angeles

Lead Sponsor

Trials
1,594
Recruited
10,430,000+

National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)

Collaborator

Trials
2,658
Recruited
3,409,000+

University of California, Berkeley

Collaborator

Trials
193
Recruited
716,000+

Charles Drew University of Medicine and Science

Collaborator

Trials
54
Recruited
8,500+

Starting Over, Inc

Collaborator

Kindful Restoration

Collaborator

CAL-PEP

Collaborator