Preventing Firearm Violence in Youth: A Hospital-based Prevention Strategy

Not Applicable

Recruiting

• Conditions: Violence in Adolescence
• Interventions: Behavioral: Bridging the Gap (BTG)

• Registration Number: NCT05078164
• Lead Sponsor: Virginia Commonwealth University

Brief Summary

The goal of the study is to understand if hospital-based violence interventions are effective for reducing youth violence among violently injured youth. This study will allow researchers to learn more about the intervention's effectiveness. The researchers also want to understand if the violence intervention impacts other behaviors, such as firearm use, drug use, aggression, risky behaviors, and rates of violent re-injury.

Detailed Description

The purpose of this research study is to find out if a hospital-based violence intervention (Bridging the Gap) is effective for reducing youth violence. Researchers think that youth who receive the Bridging the Gap will see greater improvements than youth who do not receive the intervention. Approximately 300 youth patients and 300 adult caregivers will enroll in this study. Participants will be randomized into a study group (either Bridging the Gap or Treatment as Usual). If patients agree to the study but do not like the group they are assigned to, they can request to switch groups. Participants assigned to the Treatment as Usual intervention will receive a brief violence awareness brochure during their hospital stay. Participants assigned to the Bridging the Gap intervention will receive an in-hospital intervention and, once released from the hospital, will receive 3-months of community case management services with their families. The study team thinks that youth who receive the Bridging the Gap intervention will see greater improvements than youth who do not receive the intervention. Participation in this study will last up to 6 months.

Study Timeline

• Study First Submitted: 2021-09-29
• Study First Submitted QC: 2021-10-13
• Study First Posted: 2021-10-14
• Study Start: 2022-05-04
• Status Verified: 2024-05
• Last Update Submitted: 2024-05-20
• Last Update Posted: 2024-05-21
• Primary Completion: 2025-05
• Study Completion: 2025-05

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: RECRUITING
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 300

Inclusion Criteria

1. Youth are aged 10-17 years and their adult caregivers are aged 18 years and older
2. Receiving treatment in the hospital for a violence-related injury (e.g., gunshot wound) or referred to BTG/IVPP services
3. English speaking
4. Eligible for BTG services (which includes living within the BTG catchment area for the hospital; Richmond City and neighboring counties)

Exclusion Criteria

1. Youth are < 10 years old
2. Youth are > 18 years old
3. Prisoners

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Bridging the Gap (BTG)	Bridging the Gap (BTG)	Youth randomized to Bridging the Gap (BTG) services will receive a hospital-based violence prevention program with 3-months of community case management and a firearm counseling program.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Firearm-related violence	6 months	Total number of unique firearm-related violence incidents will be assessed multiple ways including self-report assessment and semi-structured clinical assessments.
Firearm-related carrying behaviors	6 months	Total number of firearm-related carrying behaviors will be assessed multiple ways including self-report assessment and semi-structured clinical assessments.
Firearm-related re-injury	6 months	Total number of unique firearm-related re-injury incidents will be measured multiple ways including self-report, caregiver-report, hospital records, and the National Death Index.
Firearm-related beliefs	6 months	Total number of firearm-related beliefs endorsed will be assessed multiple ways including self-report assessment and semi-structured clinical assessments.
Firearm-related mortality	6 months	Number of deaths will be collected from hospital records and the National Death Index.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Virginia Commonwealth University; 🇺🇸 Richmond, Virginia, United States