Syringe Service Based Telemedicine and Social Network Driven HIV Prevention Service Implementation

Launched by JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY · Oct 23, 2023

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is focused on finding better ways to help people who inject drugs get tested for HIV and connect to important health services in Maryland. The study will explore if using social networks—like friends and family—can encourage more people to get tested and learn about HIV prevention options, such as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), and treatments for opioid use disorder. Participants will be recruited from syringe service programs, and those who qualify will either receive training to become peer educators or take part in a control group that focuses on general information about opioid overdose.

To be eligible for the study, participants must be at least 18 years old, have used injection drugs in the past month, and have accessed services from a syringe service program recently. They should also be willing to talk with others about HIV and drug use topics. Participants will be asked to complete assessments at the beginning of the study and again after 3 and 9 months. This trial aims to find effective ways to improve health outcomes for those at risk of HIV and drug use, ultimately helping to save lives and improve community health.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• Inclusion criteria for index participants:
• • Aged 18 or older
• • Self-reported injection drug use in the prior month
• • Accessed services at the SSP in the prior 3 months
• • Willing to undergo training and attend weekly booster group sessions
• • Able to recruit at least 1 drug use Network Member (NM) into study
• • Willing to talk with peers about PWID topics such as HIV prevention and care
• • Not previously enrolled in the study as index or NM
• • English-speaking
• Inclusion criteria for network member participants:
• • Aged 18 or older
• • Self-reported injection drug use in the prior month
• • Have a valid coupon or able to recall the 3-digit ID number
• • Not previously enrolled in the study as index or NM
• • English-speaking
• Exclusion criteria:
• • • Individuals lacking the capacity to consent