HIV Infections
Conditions
Keywords
HIV, Latinos, Networks, Men who have sex with men, Transgender, USA Midwest
Brief summary
This study is a randomized controlled trial that evaluates the efficacy of a network intervention to promote regular HIV testing and prevention (risk reduction and PrEP awareness and referrals) among friendship networks of Latino men who have sex with men and transwomen (LMSMT) in three mid sized Midwestern cities.
Detailed description
To benefit from early HIV diagnosis, the CDC suggests that groups at higher HIV risk get tested regularly. The study will evaluate the efficacy of an intervention to promote regular HIV testing and prevention (risk reduction and PrEP awareness and referrals) among friendship networks of Latino men who have sex with men and transwomen (LMSMT) in three midsized Midwestern cities. The intervention uses the relationships that permeate networks of LMSMT by training well-positioned members to encourage a collective response to the epidemic and to disseminate HIV testing and prevention messages and resources within the network. Thus, we will (a) recruit 36 friendship networks of LMSMT in Milwaukee, Cleveland, and Indianapolis (N ≈ 432); (b) test them for HIV and recommend that they test regularly; (c) invite key members of 18 randomly selected networks to a 4-session training to promote regular HIV testing and prevention in their networks; (d) conduct chart reviews to verify regular testing and PrEP visits and assess regular testing, PrEP visits, and risk behavior and mediators at 6, 12 and 18-month follow up.
Interventions
DIAGNOSTIC_TESTHIV counseling and testing
Receive HIV testing risk assessment and advice about risk reduction and future testing.
BEHAVIORALNetwork intervention
Key individuals are trained to provide advice about regular testing and risk reduction.
Sponsors
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Medical College of Wisconsin
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
NONE
Intervention model description
Cluster randomized controlled trial
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
MALE
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Latinx men who have sex with men or transgender women 18 or more years of age. * Lives in the Milwaukee, Cleveland or Indianapolis area. * Can provide informed consent. * Additional inclusion criteria for networks: 80% or more of the network is of Latinx descent.
Exclusion criteria
* Cis-gender female. * Did not have sex with men or identify as homosexual or bisexual. * Cannot provide consent.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Mean percentage of participants who report having tested for HIV twice in the past 12 months. | Past 12 months | Participants will complete surveys assessing HIV testing behavior. |
| Mean percentage of PrEP-eligible participants who report having consulted with a provider about PrEP. | Past 6 months | Participants will complete surveys in which they will report whether they consulted with a provider about PrEP. |
| Mean percentage of participants who report having had unprotected sex with a casual partner. | Past 6 months | Participants will complete surveys in which they will report whether they had unprotected sex with a casual partner. |
| Mean percentage of participants who report having tested for HIV in the past 6 months. | Past 6 months | Participants will complete surveys assessing HIV testing behavior. |
Countries
United States
Outcome results
None listed