Preventing HIV/STI in Urban Adolescents Via an mHealth Primary Care Intervention
Condition: HIV/AIDS and Infections; Drug Abuse; Adolescent Behavior; Drug Usage
MeSH terms: Substance-Related Disorders
Study type: Interventional

Summary: 
      The study evaluates the preliminary efficacy of an innovative mobile-health (mHealth)
      intervention (hereon referred to as S4E) to improve human immunodeficiency virus and sexually
      transmitted infection testing and reduce HIV/STI risk behaviors in a clinic sample (n=100) of
      at-risk youth ages 14-21 living in Southeast Michigan. A Stage I randomized control trial
      will be conducted to examine the preliminary efficacy of S4E, relative to Usual Care (UC),
      over a period of six months.
    

Detailed description: 
      HIV/STI and drug abuse remain significant public health priorities in the US and youth are
      disproportionately affected. Youth between the ages of 15 - 24 constitute 25% of the sexually
      experienced population, yet account for 46% and 50% of HIV infections and new STIs,
      respectively. National surveillance data indicate that youth disproportionately engage in
      HIV/STI risk behaviors, including condomless sex and licit and illicit drug use, which
      increase their risk for HIV/STI infection. Despite the disproportionately high rates of
      HIV/STI infection and risk behaviors in youth, fewer than 14% report having ever been tested
      for HIV and many are not routinely screened for asymptomatic STIs as recommended by the
      Center for Disease Control. In Southeast Michigan, HIV/STI are disproportionately high. To
      address these significant public health concerns, a mobile-health (mHealth) intervention was
      developed for health clinic settings. The proposed research aims to develop a cross-platform
      and universal version of S4E. The cross-platform and universal version of S4E will be
      compatible with both IOS and Android operating systems, and multiple mobile devices, aimed at
      providing adolescents with ongoing access to the intervention once they leave the clinic. The
      proposed research will also evaluate the preliminary efficacy of S4E to improve HIV/STI
      testing and reduce HIV/STI risk behaviors in a clinic sample (n=100) of at-risk youth ages
      14-21 living in Southeast Michigan by conducting a Stage I RCT to examine the preliminary
      efficacy of S4E, relative to Usual Care, among a sample of 100 at-risk youth over six months.
    

Intervention name(s): S4E; Usual Care
Intervention type(s): Behavioral; Behavioral
Intervention description(s): S4E application was developed in collaboration with youth in Southeast Michigan. S4E aims to prevent and reduce HIV/STI risk behaviors, including drug use and sexual risk behaviors, and increase HIV/STI testing among youth. Content produced for the application is based on scientific prevention principles in conjunction with youth input. To date, we have developed modules focused on youth alcohol & drug use, HIV & STIs and a forthcoming module on tobacco prevention and cessation.; Participants in Usual Care (i.e., Control Condition) will not receive the S4E intervention from the study staff. The Clinic's usual care includes a standard risk behaviors intake form, pamphlets highlighting resources, and reproductive and healthcare services.
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention model: Parallel Assignment
Intervention model description: To test the preliminary efficacy of S4E, we will conduct a Stage I RCT and use a mixed between/within-subjects design with two levels of intervention (S4E and Usual Care) as the between-subjects factor and three repeated measures assessments (Baseline, 3-, and 6-months post-Baseline) as the within-subjects factor.
Masking: None (Open Label)
Primary purpose: Prevention
Keywords: mhealth; preventive intervention; primary health care