Addressing Substance Use Through CVCT
Condition: Sex, Unsafe; Drug Use
MeSH terms: Substance-Related Disorders
Study type: Interventional

Summary: 
      The proposed study developed and tested two adjunct components for use in Couples HIV Testing
      and Counseling (CHTC) with gay-male couples: a communication skills training video and a
      substance use agreement module. Phase I of the study involved the creation of intervention
      materials and Phase II was comprised of a small randomized controlled trial comparing the
      additive effects of the novel components to CHTC as usual.
    

Detailed description: 
      Phase I: Utilizing formative qualitative data on the correspondence of sexual agreements,
      drug use, and sexual risk behavior, the study team created two adjunct intervention
      components:

      Communication skills training videos: The team produced a brief (20-minute) communication
      skills training video. The video includes 4 scenes in which a gay couple is depicted
      discussing HIV risk, sexual agreements, or drug use. The scene is viewed twice. The first
      viewing includes common communication errors. The second viewing portrays the use of more
      effective interpersonal communication and a more adaptive outcome.

      Substance use agreement module: The team developed a structured activity to assist couples in
      clarifying their understanding and goals around substance use. The module includes the
      completion of a calendar detailing recent substance use and structured debriefing questions.

      Phase II: A randomized controlled trial to assess the feasibility, acceptability, and
      preliminary efficacy of novel intervention components will be conducted. The trial involves
      70 couples (n = 140 individuals). Half of the couples are randomized to complete the drug
      calendar (the other half do not). Half of the couples are randomized to view communication
      skills training videos, the other half do not. The result is four intervention conditions:

        1. CHTC as usual

        2. CHTC + communication skills training videos

        3. CHTC + substance use module

        4. CHTC + communication skills training videos + substance use calendar

      Participants complete a baseline assessment (either online or in person) prior to their
      intervention session. All intervention sessions are completed with both members of the couple
      together. Follow-up assessments are completed individually online at 1, 3, and 6 months
      post-intervention.
    

Intervention name(s): Communication skills training video; substance use module; Couples HIV Testing and Counseling
Intervention type(s): Behavioral; Behavioral; Behavioral
Intervention description(s): This video includes 4 scenes of gay couples discussing issues related to HIV prevention, testing, sexual agreements, and drug use. Each scene is viewed twice. The first viewing includes common communication errors. The second viewing portrays more skillful interpersonal communication and a more adaptive resolution to the conversation.; This activity involves completion of a calendar detailing partners' substance use in the past month and a structured debriefing activity designed to facilitate the formation of couples' goals and limits around substance use.; CHTC delivered as per the CDC protocol.
Other intervention name(s): drug calendar; (CHTC)
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention model: Factorial Assignment
Intervention model description: The study tests two independent variables in a fully-crossed factorial design. Half of the couples complete a substance use module during their CHTC session (half do not); half view communication skills training videos (half do not).
Masking: Single (Care Provider)
Primary purpose: Prevention
Keywords: couples HIV testing; drug intervention; communication skills