A Peer-based Mobile-health Intervention to Increase Access & Adherence to Hepatitis C Treatment & HIV Viral Suppression

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The purpose of this study is to test an intervention designed to train persons who inject drugs (PWID) and are infected with hepatitis C (HCV) and HIV in communication skills to 1) promote new HCV treatment and care 2) risk reduction and 3) recruit their social network members for HIV and HCV testing and linkage to care.

Detailed Description
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The investigators propose recruiting 300 HIV/HCV co-infected PWID (i.e. Index participants). Half will be randomly assigned to the experimental condition and half to the equal attention comparison. The experimental intervention will include 8 group sessions that focus on communication to social network members, medical adherence and risk reduction skills, 2 dyad sessions with network members, monthly booster sessions for 6 months, and mHealth cuing of behavior for 6 months. These Index participants will be followed for 24 months (3, 6, 12, 18, & 24 month assessments). Participants who test positive for HCV will be linked to the Johns Hopkins Viral Hepatitis clinic to assess liver function and HCV chronicity and if applicable offered HCV treatment. Additionally, 450 network members will be recruited and will be tested for HIV and HCV and followed longitudinally to examine the social diffusion and social network factors associated with adherence among the Index participants.

Official Title
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Randomized Controlled Trial of a Social-network Oriented Mobile Health Based Intervention to Increase Access and Adherence to Hepatitis C Treatment and HIV Viral Suppression

Conditions
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Hepatitis C, HIV, Risk Reduction Behavior

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: Peer Mentor


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: HCV antibody positive HIV antibody positive lifetime history of injection drug use interrupted HIV care:>3 months since HIV care or detectable viral load willingness to participate in group sessions and have conversations with social network members Exclusion Criteria: - participated in a behavioral intervention in prior 2 years

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 55 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

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: Screening
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Double


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Peer Mentor<br>Individuals in this arm will be trained in communication skills to promote HIV and HCV testing to their social network members, linkage to care and risk reduction behaviors. | Behavioral: Peer Mentor<br>* comparison of communication training to equal attention control<br>|
| No Intervention: Neighborhood Matters<br>Participants in this arm will view a 15-20 minute video on issues in neighborhoods such as crime and violence, restoring communities and incarceration and discuss their reactions and thoughts. | |

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Continuity in HIV care scale |  | 24 months | 
| Access to HCV care scale | Initiation of HCV care at a viral hepatitis clinic | 24 months | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| HIV medication adherence scale |  | 24 months | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Testing, Access