Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) Rapid Access

Purpose

The goal of phase 1 is to determine the feasibility and acceptability of an intervention ('Rapid PrEP Access') providing people who use drugs (PWUD) one-time access to HIV self-testing at the Victory Program. Aim 1: To offer HIV self-testing to PWUD in the community through a study called 'Rapid PrEP Access'. The study will be carried out at the Victory Program. Aim 2: To determine the feasibility and acceptability of 'Rapid PrEP Access' at the Victory Program.

Conditions

  • Drug Use
  • Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP)
  • Opioid Use Disorder

Eligibility

Eligible Ages
Over 18 Years
Eligible Genders
All
Accepts Healthy Volunteers
No

Inclusion Criteria

  • English speaking - Opioid use that was not prescribed by a health professional in the past 6 months

Exclusion Criteria

  • Pregnant women - Persons with previous HIV diagnosis - Individuals currently taking PrEP - Individuals who express desire to harm themselves or others

Study Design

Phase
N/A
Study Type
Interventional
Allocation
N/A
Intervention Model
Single Group Assignment
Primary Purpose
Diagnostic
Masking
None (Open Label)

Arm Groups

ArmDescriptionAssigned Intervention
Experimental
PrEP Rapid Access 		Participants who are at risk of HIV and being seen at the Victory Program's Mobile Prevention Services Van.
  • Other: PrEP Rapid Access
    'Rapid PrEP Access' is a low-threshold intervention designed to provide on-site access to HIV self-testing at the Victory Program for persons who use opioids.
  • Other: HIV self-testing
    After enrollment the research assistant (RA) will provide the participant with a HIV self-test and provide instructions on how to obtain a proper sample for the test. It uses an oral fluid test and yields results within 20 minutes.
  • Other: Dried blood spot testing
    HIV Dried blood spot (DBS) testing provides an accurate method of measuring the HIV viral load in comparison to plasma viral load.

More Details

Status
Completed
Sponsor
Boston Medical Center

Study Contact

Detailed Description

For phase 1 of the study, participants will be recruited for a one-time baseline interview and HIV self-testing. A questionnaire will also be administered to assess their interest in the HIV prevention pill (PrEP= pre-exposure prophylaxis), but PrEP will not be offered. Study duration for each participant is one day; participants will not be followed over time. After the prescreener and consent forms are completed, the Research Assistant (RA) will offer the participant an opportunity to administer an HIV self-test. The participant will be provided the test for unboxing and retrieving the user instructions. All testing will be performed and interpreted by participants. The RA can provide assistance with reading the instruction on how to obtain a proper sample. Alternatively, the RA will direct them to information in the package insert which includes support offered by the OraQuick® Support Center. After completing the HIVST, the RA will complete the baseline questionnaire with each participant while waiting for the participants' HIVST results. After the baseline questionnaire is complete, the RA will conduct satisfaction surveys to assess acceptability of the intervention and interest of PrEP initiation using REDCap.