NCT01394900

Connect 'n Unite: Couples-Based HIV/STI Prevention for Drug-Involved, Black MSM

Couples-Based HIV/STI Prevention for Drug-Involved, Black MSM

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 424 (actual)
• Sponsor: Columbia University · Academic / Other
• Sex: Male
• Age: 18 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

The study has the following primary aims: (1) to test whether participants assigned to CNU (a 7-session, manualized intervention entitled "Connect 'n Unite") engage in lower HIV/STI behavioral risk compared to participants assigned to WP (a wellness promotion attention control condition); (2) to test whether participants assigned to CNU have lower cumulative incidence of STIs-chlamydia and gonorrhea-confirmed via biological assay compared to participants assigned to WP; and (3) to test whether participants assigned to CNU engage in less drug use compared to participants assigned to WP.

Detailed description

This study addresses the overrepresentation of the African American/Black community among those living with HIV/AIDS in the U.S. as well as men who have sex with men (MSM), the transmission category that accounts for the majority of HIV infections. In the absence of a vaccine or cure for HIV infection, behavioral risk reduction represents the best public health tool for prevention of HIV transmission. The proposed randomized clinical trial will rigorously test an innovative, couples-based intervention targeting the intersection of stimulant use and sexual risk behavior among racial/ethnic and sexual minorities, with the ultimate goal providing an evidence-based intervention that can be delivered in drug treatment and other service settings to reduce the spread of HIV among stimulant-using, African American/Black MSM.

Conditions

• HIV
• Sexually Transmitted Infections

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	CNU Intervention	Notions that strengthen the closeness with one's partner, connect with similar couples, and visibly strengthen a community as key to combating dynamics that cause poor communication, isolation, fragmentation of the Black MSM community.
BEHAVIORAL	WP Intervention	Attention control condition - WP focuses on nutrition, fitness, healthcare, and stress management. Given the prevalence of health problems among the target population, WP emphasizes adherence to medical guidance and medication regimens.

Timeline

• Start date: 2012-07-01
• Primary completion: 2016-12-31
• Completion: 2019-08-02
• First posted: 2011-07-15
• Last updated: 2024-06-04

Locations

1 site across 1 country: United States