HIV Prevention Among At-risk Latinos in the Heartland

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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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
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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.

Official Title
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Regular HIV Testing and HIV Prevention Among At-Risk Latino Men in the Heartland

Conditions
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HIV Infections

Intervention / Treatment
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* Diagnostic Test: HIV counseling and testing
* Behavioral: Network intervention


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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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.

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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Male

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Prevention
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Interventional Model Description: Cluster randomized controlled trial
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Active Comparator: Standard of Care<br>HIV counseling and testing | Diagnostic Test: HIV counseling and testing<br>* Receive HIV testing risk assessment and advice about risk reduction and future testing.<br>|
| Experimental: Standard of Care plus Network Intervention<br>Network intervention | Diagnostic Test: HIV counseling and testing<br>* Receive HIV testing risk assessment and advice about risk reduction and future testing.<br>Behavioral: Network intervention<br>* Key individuals are trained to provide advice about regular testing and risk reduction.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Mean percentage of participants who report having tested for HIV twice in the past 12 months. | Participants will complete surveys assessing HIV testing behavior. | Past 12 months | 
| Mean percentage of PrEP-eligible participants who report having consulted with a provider about PrEP. | Participants will complete surveys in which they will report whether they consulted with a provider about PrEP. | Past 6 months | 
| Mean percentage of participants who report having had unprotected sex with a casual partner. | Participants will complete surveys in which they will report whether they had unprotected sex with a casual partner. | Past 6 months | 
| Mean percentage of participants who report having tested for HIV in the past 6 months. | Participants will complete surveys assessing HIV testing behavior. | Past 6 months | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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HIV, Latinos, Networks, Men who have sex with men, Transgender, USA Midwest