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Purpose

The investigators will conduct the formative work that is necessary to develop a novel, multi-level intervention (inclusive of patient- and provider-level components), which will increase awareness of and modify the complex, intersecting factors that contribute to cervical cancer development among cisgender women with HIV (WWH). In Aim 1a, the investigators will explore the multi-level barriers and facilitators to follow-up appointment attendance among WWH who have had a recent high-risk abnormal Pap smear in the past six months, via qualitative interviews with WWH who have either attended at least one follow-up visit (n<10) or have not yet attended a follow-up visit (n<10). In Aim 1b, the investigators will explore provider awareness of the HIV-cervical cancer relationship and perspectives on barriers to retention in care via qualitative interviews (n<8). For Aim 2, The study team will leverage the Aim 1 data, develop a patient-level intervention (2 sessions) and a provider toolkit, with the goal of increasing retention in care among WWH who are at heightened risk for cervical cancer. In Aim 3a, the investigators will test the feasibility and acceptability of the intervention in a pilot randomized control trial (RCT) (n<60). The study team will also assess (1) changes in self-efficacy to attend cervical cancer-related healthcare appointments at baseline, end of intervention, and three-months post-baseline, (2) the proportion of women who attend a follow-up appointment, and, of those participants, (3) the proportion of women who complete the next phase of treatment. In Aim 3b, the investigators will explore the feasibility of intervention implementation in the clinic and acceptability of the provider-level intervention components in qualitative interviews with providers and clinic staff (n<10).

Conditions

Eligibility

Eligible Ages
Over 18 Years
Eligible Sex
Female
Accepts Healthy Volunteers
No

Inclusion Criteria

  • Having a cervix - Aged 18+ - Living with HIV - Recent high-risk abnormal Pap results within the last month (if needed, we may increase the range by up to 6 months to ensure that we meet our targets).

Exclusion Criteria

  • Younger than 18 years old - HIV-negative - No cervix/history of hysterectomy - Recent normal or low-risk abnormal Pap results - Unable to provide informed consent or assent in English or isiZulu and/or have a significant psychiatric illness (e.g., active psychotic disorder or untreated bipolar disorder) that could interfere with participation will be excluded. Potential participants will also be asked if they have any health conditions that make it difficult for them to travel to the clinic. Aim 3 criteria: Inclusion Criteria: - Having a cervix - Aged 18+ - Living with HIV - Recent Pap smear test (within the past two months). Exclusion Criteria: - Younger than 18 years old - HIV-negative - No cervix/history of hysterectomy - Unable to provide informed consent in English or isiZulu and/or have a significant psychiatric illness (e.g., active psychotic disorder or untreated bipolar disorder) that could interfere with participation will be excluded. Potential participants will also be asked if they have any health conditions that make it difficult for them to travel to the clinic.

Study Design

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

Arm Groups

ArmDescriptionAssigned Intervention
Experimental
Participant intervention 		The intervention group will consist of two sessions, conducted in-person, coupled with text-based client navigation.The intervention group will complete three major assessments: baseline (T1), at the conclusion of the intervention (T2), and a three-month follow-up (T3). Until the follow-up assessment, the interventionist will send participants 2-3 SMS messages (one-way) per month. The content of these messages will be developed collaboratively between the participant and the interventionist during each session; messages could include reminders about follow-ups and/or prompts to use new skills and resources for navigating specific barriers.
  • Behavioral: Retention in cervical cancer care intervention
    The participant intervention will be two sessions, conducted in-person, coupled with text-based client navigation with women who received a recent Pap smear test. The intervention integrates (1) information to improve awareness of cervical cancer susceptibility and treatment, (2) brief cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) skills to reduce individual-level barriers, (3) problem-solving to increase social support, and (4) patient navigation tools to mitigate clinic-level challenges.
No Intervention
Enhanced treatment as usual 		The enhanced treatment as usual (ETAU) group will receive treatment as usual, including being notified of their Pap results and instructed to set up a follow-up appointment if needed, as is typical in routine care. They will additionally receive an information sheet describing Pap smears and the relationship between HIV, HPV, and cervical cancer. The ETAU group will complete the T1, T2, and T3 assessments.

More Details

Status
Active, not recruiting
Sponsor
Boston University Charles River Campus

Study Contact

Notice

Study information shown on this site is derived from ClinicalTrials.gov (a public registry operated by the National Institutes of Health). The listing of studies provided is not certain to be all studies for which you might be eligible. Furthermore, study eligibility requirements can be difficult to understand and may change over time, so it is wise to speak with your medical care provider and individual research study teams when making decisions related to participation.