Drug User Internet and Mobile Tech Use

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Drug Abuse Illicit
• Interventions: Other: Pilot Website Evaluation Component

• Registration Number: NCT01871298
• Lead Sponsor: Columbia University

Brief Summary

The purpose of this exploratory study is to examine factors associated with frequency and type of internet and mobile technology use among illegal drug users, specifically use of internet and text-messaging to obtain health care information and engage in health care utilization, specifically human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) prevention and treatment services. We will target high drug activity neighborhoods in New York City and enroll participants recruited through targeted street outreach. All participants (n=336) will undergo an audio computer-assisted self-interview (ACASI) that will assess sociodemographics, health care access and utilization, sex/drug use behavior, health status, and characteristics of general and health-related internet/mobile technology use including factors that promote or hinder use. Participants identified as using the internet ≥1/month (n=151) will return for a 4-week ACASI to report on use of the pilot website (which will largely display information currently available in the community in print/ pamphlet/ video form).

Detailed Description

At the enrollment visit participants deemed eligible after screening will be consented, and given a 30 minute baseline ACASI survey. At the end of the baseline visit, those participants who reported internet use at least 1x/month (in the past month) will be offered participation in the Pilot Website Evaluation Component. For this component, participants will be instructed on how to use an educational website with health resources. Their use of the website will be tracked. They will be given an appointment to return in 4-weeks for a follow up survey at the pharmacy and a 2-week locator call.

Study Timeline

• Study First Submitted: 2013-06-04
• Study First Submitted QC: 2013-06-04
• Study First Posted: 2013-06-06
• Study Start: 2014-12
• Status Verified: 2015-11
• Primary Completion: 2015-11
• Study Completion: 2015-11
• Last Update Submitted: 2015-11-25
• Last Update Posted: 2015-11-26

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 212

Inclusion Criteria

• any lifetime illegal drug use
• age > 18

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Exclusion Criteria

• none

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Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: SINGLE_GROUP

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Website access	Pilot Website Evaluation Component	While this pilot intervention is not a randomized trial, study participants who report internet use at least once a month will told of a Pilot Website Evaluation Component that they will be able to access for a 4-week study period. This website will contain a educational information tailored to the health needs of drug users. Web content will be similar to materials and public health messages released by the NYC Department of Health and therefore, harm is not likely to arise from viewing such content.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Percent of participants who use the pilot website	4 weeks

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Percent of participants who use the internet at least once a month	Baseline
Percent of participants who use the internet	Baseline
Percent of participants who are willing to use internet or mobile technology for health-related purposes	Baseline
Percent of participants who use the internet for health-related purposes	Baseline
Percent of participants who sign up for receipt of automatic text message updates on relevant health information	4 weeks

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Columbia University Medical Center; 🇺🇸 New York, New York, United States