UTECH: Machine Learning for HIV Prevention Among Substance Using GBMSM
Overview
- Phase
- Not Applicable
- Intervention
- Not specified
- Conditions
- Sexually Transmitted Diseases
- Sponsor
- University of California, Los Angeles
- Enrollment
- 388
- Locations
- 1
- Primary Endpoint
- Perception of Intervention Appropriateness [4-item scale, 5-point ordinal response]
- Status
- Completed
- Last Updated
- last year
Overview
Brief Summary
This project seeks to develop and test the acceptability, appropriateness and feasibility of uTECH, a novel social media "big data" machine learning intervention for HIV-negative substance-using sexual and gender minority people who have sex with men that aims to reduce HIV transmission risk by integrating biomedical and behavioral risk reduction strategies, including pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV prevention and medication assisted treatment (MAT) for substance use harm reduction
Detailed Description
The project will occur in two phases. In Phase 1, we will conduct qualitative interviews with gay and bisexual men who have sex with men (GBMSM) using an iterative user-centered design process, which will result in a refined version of the uTECH intervention. In Phase 2, we will conduct a comparative acceptability, appropriateness and feasibility trial with 330 individuals, who will be randomized to (1) receive the uTECH intervention and an existing, evidence-based motivational enhancement intervention for HIV risk and substance use prevention (YMHP) or (2) receive YMHP alone. uTECH is innovative in that it includes both core intervention modules and highly personalized intervention content based on participants' social media use. The tailored intervention content can be delivered via text message or Facebook messenger. This content relies on our previously developed machine learning algorithm, which helps participants understand their technology-use behavior in relation to HIV-risk and substance use.
Investigators
Ian Holloway
Professor
University of California, Los Angeles
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria
- •18 years of age or older
- •Current sexual identity as a sexual minority
- •Current gender identity as a gender minority
- •Have had anal and/or oral sex with a man in the past 3 months
- •Use an illicit substance (such as methamphetamine, cocaine, ecstasy) OR a legal substance (such as alcohol or marijuana) in the past 3 months
- •Have had sex while using any substance in the past 3 months
- •Use a gay-specific social media/networking/dating app in the past 3 months to seek sexual and drug use partners
- •Willing to participate in audio-recorded interviews over Zoom
- •Comfortable answering questions in English
- •Use an Android or iOS smartphone
Exclusion Criteria
- •Under 18 years of age
- •Does not currently identify as a gender or sexual minority
- •Have not had anal and/or oral sex with a man in the past 3 months
- •Have not used an illicit substance (such as methamphetamine, cocaine, ecstasy) or legal substance (such as alcohol or marijuana) in the past 3 months
- •Have not had sex while using any substance in the past 3 months
- •Have not used a gay-specific social media/networking/dating app in the past 3 months to seek sexual and drug use partners
- •Are not willing to participate in audio-recorded interviews over Zoom
- •Do not feel comfortable answering questions in English
- •Do not use an Android or iOS smartphone
- •HIV status is positive
Outcomes
Primary Outcomes
Perception of Intervention Appropriateness [4-item scale, 5-point ordinal response]
Time Frame: 12 months
Drawing from work of Weiner et al (2017), we will rely on a psychometrically validated implementation science measure called "Intervention Appropriateness Measure (IAM)" that will measure the perceived fit, relevance, or compatibility of the innovation for a given consumer. This measure is a 4-item scale with 5-point ordinal response that ranges from "completely disagree" to "completely agree."
Perception of Intervention Acceptability [4-item scale, 5-point ordinal response]
Time Frame: 12 months
Drawing from work of Weiner et al (2017), we will rely on a psychometrically validated implementation science measure called "Acceptability of Intervention Measure (AIM)" that will measure the perception among implementation stakeholders that a given treatment, service, practice, or innovation is agreeable, palatable, or satisfactory. This measure is a 5-item scale with 5-point ordinal response that ranges from "completely disagree" to "completely agree."
Perception of Intervention Feasibility [4-item scale, 5-point ordinal response]
Time Frame: 12 months
Drawing from work of Weiner et al (2017), we will rely on a psychometrically validated implementation science measure called "Feasibility of Intervention Measure (FIM)" that will measure the extent to which the intervention or innovation can be successfully used or carried out within this setting. This measure is a 4-item scale with 5-point ordinal response that ranges from "completely disagree" to "completely agree."