FASTLANE II: Reducing Sex, Drug, and Mental Health Risk

The study uses a repeated measures, single group pretest-posttest design methodology to examine the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effectiveness of the FASTLANE II intervention aimed at decreasing risky sex behaviors among active methamphetamine using women. The study's methodology consists of two phases: 1) The feasibility and evaluation of recruitment capability and intervention effectiveness, and 2) qualitative acceptability interviews.

Specific Aims Methamphetamine use among young adult Latina women with histories of intimate partner violence are at disproportionate risk for Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and sexually transmitted infection (STI). Studies demonstrate that these women are also at extremely high risk for a myriad of mental health conditions, including depression. There is promising support that addressing the co-occurrence of drug use and depression can lead to increased safe sex behaviors, positive outcomes and HIV/STI risk reduction. However, there are countless systemic barriers to engaging drug using young adult women who face high rates of psychological, interpersonal relationship and legal problems into safe sex interventions.

In response to the University of Southern California (USC) Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI) Clinical and Community Research Award, this application proposes to assess the feasibility of an integrated HIV behavioral intervention, FASTLANE II that has preliminary evidence of efficacy in increasing safer sex behaviors and simultaneously targeting depressive symptoms among active drug users. FASTLANE II utilizes cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and incorporates motivational interviewing (MI) techniques as well as central theoretical components from the theory of reasoned action. The study will deliver FASTLANE II for a new population and new setting and obtain initial data on its feasibility, acceptability and preliminary outcome data. Specifically, the proposed application builds upon an on-going National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) funded R01, "Proyecto San Antonio Latina Trajectory Outcomes (SALTO) - 5R01DA039269-04, a longitudinal community-based study examining long-term health outcomes of drug and partner violence victimization trajectories for a cohort of Mexican American women in San Antonio, Texas (SAT). Findings demonstrate a high-needs population with high rates of STIs, illicit drug use and depression confounded by low rates of access and utilization of health care. The investigators will employ a quasi- experimental, single group pretest-posttest study design and qualitative interviews to evaluate feasibility, acceptability and effect. Specifically, the investigators plan to pursue the following specific aims:

1. To assess the feasibility of recruiting and retaining active methamphetamine using Mexican American women in SAT;
2. Obtain outcome data (depression, sex risk and methamphetamine use) for a new population in a new setting;
3. Explore participant's perceptions of the acceptability of the FASTLANE II intervention.

This study will provide preliminary data that would inform a future randomized controlled trial (RCT) to implement a promising HIV intervention for this underserved vulnerable population using National Institute of Health (NIH) Funding Opportunity Announcement Number PAR-17-490/ PAR-17-491 "Implementing the Most Successful Interventions to Improve HIV/AIDS Outcomes in US Communities". Moreover, the study takes advantage of a unique team of collaborators including: 1) the University of Incarnate Ward San Antonio; 2) the University of California San Diego and 3) the University of Southern California.

Research Strategy Significance Research has demonstrated the heightened risk for HIV/STI infection among methamphetamine users engaged in unprotected sexual behaviors. Studies demonstrate significantly more sex partners, engagement in anal sex behavior, engagement in prostitution or exchange of sex for drugs and less likely to use condoms. Despite this, few interventions exists to increase safer sex behaviors among populations of methamphetamine users. This is particularly important given that curtailing and/or changing drug use behaviors is a time-intensive specialized process and often times not a realistic goal for active users engaged in sexual risk behaviors. Thus, the proposed study will add to the limited interventions that exist in reducing sexual risks in the context of active drug (methamphetamine) using women.

Our study population represents one of the largest and fastest growing Hispanic subgroup in the U.S. living in poverty (27% compared to 15% U.S. general population). Mexican Americans' disadvantaged status (e.g. high poverty and declining economic progress and educational attainment) has been shown to persist with each succeeding (i.e. 3rd and 4th) generation. Confounding this status is evidence documenting intimate partner violence (IPV) and related substance use and sexual risk patterns among women. There are important limitations in the existing knowledge resulting from a lack of attention to Mexican Americans in studies of women's health and from issues related to the lack of attention to the barriers that contribute to underutilization of healthcare services. This study will contribute to examining the feasibility and acceptability of an intervention that takes into account drug using women's unique susceptibility for mental health conditions and engaging in sexual risk behaviors. While it is particularly important to recognize the sociocultural disadvantage these women experience, there is an immediate need to address the acute vulnerability that heightens their risk on a day-to-day basis.

The proposed study builds off emerging findings from "Proyecto SALTO" that demonstrate a current rate of 56% that tested positive for Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2 (HSV-2) infection and strong comorbidity with drug use, Hepatitis C, sexual violence, incarceration, and mental illness. Moreover, preliminary results from the parent study demonstrate a high-needs population of methamphetamine users with high rates of co-occurring risky sex behavior and detrimental mental health.

Approach

Quasi-Experimental Design and Methods

Study Setting - San Antonio

The San Antonio population is more than 1 million, of which more than 50% is of Mexican descent. SAT is among the top 10 cities with the largest number of people living in distressed zip codes and has the highest level of spatial inequality between zip codes. Building upon the research team's "Proyecto SALTO", the proposed intervention study site is located in the most distressed zip code. Findings demonstrate a marginalized and vulnerable population of young women with high rates of STIs, illicit drug use, and depression confounded by low rates of access and utilization of healthcare.

Community Advisory Board (CAB). A CAB will be assembled to advise the research team. The investigators will take advantage of the existing CAB members for the ongoing SAT NIDA funded study who have expressed their willingness to provide insights and suggestions for the implementation of the intervention. It will meet three times to advise and discuss such issues as cultural norms, values and beliefs, attitudes towards methamphetamine use, gender sensitivity, sexual behavior cultural scripts, etc. The CAB will monitor progress of the project and provide guidance on both cultural and community issues that develop during the course of the study.

Phase I: Feasibility and Evaluation of Recruitment Capability The objective for aim 1 is to evaluate the feasibility of recruitment and retention of appropriate participants. The investigators intend to recruit 40 participants through a variety of methods including a) existing participants in the ongoing "Proyecto SALTO" study; b) street outreach in targeted neighborhoods; and c) snowball sampling techniques. The investigators will assess and document participant flow through recruitment rates, eligibility criteria, and resulting sample characteristics in order to evaluate the feasibility of FASTLANE II in this setting. The investigators will also assess adherence rates to study procedures, intervention attendance, and engagement. In order to minimize underreporting of sensitive behavior, the investigators will utilize REDCAP for data collection purposes. Computerized assessments will occur at baseline, posttest and 4 months post-baseline. Participants will be compensated $30 for completing study assessments.

FASTLANE II (FL II) Intervention Developed by our University of California, San Diego (UCSD) collaborator (Patterson), FL II counseling sessions are highly interconnected given they are built on multiple frameworks. For instance, self-efficacy and outcome expectancies are developed through Social Cognitive Theory (SCT) and intention is explored through the Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA). While MI teaches individuals to use existing skills in risky situations,

CBT compliments the therapy by building on existing strategies and knowledge in order to develop new approaches individuals can use to improve mood and reduce risk behavior. Thus, individuals develop a "toolbox" for mood self-management to improve emotional self-regulation and reduce maladaptive coping mechanisms to minimize drug and sex risk behavior. The intervention consists of nine weekly face-to-face (i.e., individual) counseling sessions, focused on addressing the following: 1) depressive symptoms, 2) methamphetamine use, and 3) sexual risk behavior. Counselors use a client-centered approach and develop a goal for each area alongside the participant. Three sessions are devoted to each described elsewhere.

Results from the FL II intervention among a sample of randomized HIV-negative, heterosexual methamphetamine users found reductions in depression, meth use, and condom-less sex. Limited efficacy was demonstrated in changes over time that pointed towards gender moderation effects. That is, FL II demonstrates the importance in interventions targeting gender-specific factors, in particular for women who demonstrate unique vulnerabilities (homelessness, gendered power dynamics, dependent children, lower income, more severe trading sex for meth).

Analysis -Analyses will focus on the proportion of participants who complete the intervention and retention at 4- month follow-up. The investigators will use χ2 tests (or Fisher's exact tests if cell sizes are small) for categorical and t-tests for continuous variables to explore whether participant attributes are associated with intervention and study completion. χ2 tests will explore change from baseline to 4-month follow-up on the categorical outcome variables. Paired sample t-tests will be used to examine whether there was change on the outcomes from baseline to follow-up. The qualitative analysis will implement 4 inductive strategies. 1) Item level: unrestricted line-by-line reading and initial coding for items and/or elements. 2) Pattern level: more focused coding to establish linkages among classifications. 3) Structural level: organizes relationships among patterns of the data into larger sociocultural constructs. 4) Interpretation: provides meaning of structures in relation to existing content and used to assist in adaptation of intervention.

Limitations - A problem that could arise is that the investigators are unable to recruit the proposed sample. Given the team's highly successful work, trust and rapport with young adult women in "Proyecto SALTO", the investigators are confident that this would not occur. However, should this occur, the investigators will implement direct advertising recruitment using bulletin board posts/flyers at local community- based organizations working with targeted population.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

* Resident of San Antonio, Texas
* Female
* Mexican-American
* HIV-negative
* 18 years of age or older
* Self-identify as heterosexual
* Have had unprotected sex with at least one opposite sex partner during the previous 2 months
* Indicate that they have snorted or smoked methamphetamine at least once during the previous 2 months

Exclusion Criteria:

* Not a resident of San Antonio, Texas
* Male
* Not Mexican-American
* HIV-positive
* Younger than 18 years of age
* Do not self-identify as heterosexual
* Have not had unprotected sex with at least one opposite sex partner during the previous 2 months
* Indicate that they have not snorted or smoked methamphetamine at least once during the previous 2 months