Peer Intervention Latino Immigrant MSM

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: HIV Infections; Sexually Transmitted Diseases
• Interventions: Other: Peer counseling; Diagnostic Test: HIV/STI self-testing kits

• Registration Number: NCT03922126
• Lead Sponsor: University of Washington

Brief Summary

This study evaluates a peer intervention with HIV/STI self-testing kits to increase HIV/STI testing and PrEP uptake among Latino immigrant men who have sex with men. Half of participants will receive the "Listos" intervention (peer counseling, PrEP information, and HIV/STI testing kits) and half will receive the active control intervention (peer only group with no HIV/STI testing kits).

Detailed Description

HIV testing is crucial for early detection of HIV infection; yet, Latino immigrants are at high risk for late HIV diagnosis. Increased screening for HIV and STIs is particularly important for Latino immigrant men who have sex with men (MSM), a group disproportionately at risk for HIV that also encounters barriers to health access due to factors associated with immigrant status. Latino MSM recently experienced a significant increase (25%) in new HIV diagnoses (2008-2015), while diagnoses among MSM overall remained stable. Based on these trends, 1 in 4 Latino MSM will be diagnosed with HIV in their lifetimes, highlighting their urgent need for HIV prevention. Notably, pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) can reduce risk of HIV among high-risk groups; yet, only 3% of Latinos who could benefit from PrEP have received it. As undiagnosed HIV contributes to 40% of new HIV infections, and STIs increase HIV risk, targeted interventions that address Latino immigrant MSM's barriers to HIV/STI testing and PrEP uptake are critical for curbing the HIV epidemic.

Studies have shown that peers can influence HIV-related behaviors by enhancing information, motivation, and behavior skills (IMB Model). Peers share characteristics with the target population, which facilitates role modeling and can empower individuals to engage in behaviors. While peer interventions have demonstrated success in shaping behaviors among Latino MSM, their utility for addressing immigrant-specific barriers to HIV/STI testing and PrEP use is less understood.

While the IMB Model and empowerment theory highlight relevant psychological determinants of behavior, competent attention to structural factors (i.e. access) is key for HIV prevention. The availability of HIV/STI self-testing kits presents opportunities to overcome structural barriers to testing. HIV/STI self-testing kits are convenient testing methods as they allow for at-home testing, reducing the need for health care visits. The research combines these approaches (peers and HIV/STI self-testing kits) to address individual and structural barriers to HIV prevention among Latino immigrant MSM.

Study Timeline

• Study First Submitted: 2019-04-15
• Study First Submitted QC: 2019-04-18
• Study First Posted: 2019-04-19
• Study Start: 2019-05-01
• Primary Completion: 2022-02-01
• Study Completion: 2022-02-28
• Status Verified: 2022-05
• Last Update Submitted: 2022-05-16
• Last Update Posted: 2022-05-17

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: Male
• Target Recruitment: 50

Inclusion Criteria

• male sex (at birth)
• adult aged 18 and older
• immigrant (not born in continental U.S.)
• Latino (identifies as either Latinx or Hispanic
• reports sex with men in past 12 months
• reports not knowing their HIV status or being HIV negative

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Exclusion Criteria

• Does not identify as Latino/Hispanic
• Born in the continental U.S.
• Female sex (at birth)
• Does not report sex with men in the last 12 months
• Reports being HIV positive
• Younger than 18 years old

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Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Listos peer intervention	HIV/STI self-testing kits	Listos intervention (peer counseling, PrEP information, and HIV/STI testing kits)
Peer only group	Peer counseling	Peer only group (peer counseling, PrEP information)
Listos peer intervention	Peer counseling	Listos intervention (peer counseling, PrEP information, and HIV/STI testing kits)

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Number of participants who test for HIV/STIs	12 weeks	Report of having tested for HIV or STIs
Number of participants who initiate PrEP	12 weeks	Report of use of PrEP

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

University of Washington; 🇺🇸 Seattle, Washington, United States