Evaluation of a Combined Motivational Interviewing and Ecological Momentary Intervention to Reduce Risky Alcohol Use Among Individuals Vulnerable to HIV/AIDS
University of Kentucky
Summary
Ecological momentary interventions (EMI), which use phones to deliver messages to reduce alcohol use and related risk behaviors during or prior to drinking events, can help to address triggers in real-time. GPS tracking can determine when individuals visit places they have previously reported drinking or triggers to drink and then EMI messages can be delivered upon arrival to prevent risky alcohol use. A mobile app has been developed that uses GPS tracking to determine when individuals visit "risky" places and then delivers a survey asking what behaviors they engaged in while at the location. The goal of the proposed study is to use this app to enhance the Tracking and Reducing Alcohol Consumption (TRAC) intervention by delivering messages that encourage participants to employ strategies discussed during TRAC sessions when arriving at risky places. When they leave these places, they will complete a survey and breathalyzer reading in order to collect event-level self-report and biological data on alcohol use and HIV risk. If their breathalyzer result indicates alcohol use, they will receive harm reduction messaging. It is expected that combining TRAC with EMI ("TRAC-ER") will increase effectiveness by reinforcing topics discussed during these sessions, providing in-the-moment messaging to address triggers, and collecting real-time alcohol use data.
Description
For this study, the investigators will enhance an existing mHealth intervention (TRAC) to reduce alcohol use among young adults at risk for HIV by combining the intervention with an app which delivers EMI messages in real-time. Upon enrollment, participants will be randomized into one of 3 arms: TRAC-ER (EMI messaging, TRAC intervention, and smartphone-based alcohol monitoring), TRAC (TRAC intervention and smartphone-based alcohol monitoring), or a comparison group (smartphone-based alcohol monitoring only). Participants will be recruited from Kentucky and Connecticut through community-based…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 18–35 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Yes
Inclusion Criteria: * is between the ages of 18-35 at the start of the study * owns a smartphone * has not been diagnosed with HIV * screens positively for at-risk alcohol use (score of 4 or higher on the AUDIT-C, OR report engaging in binge drinking at least once over the past 12 months). * meets criteria for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) OR is identified as being at high risk for HIV (i.e., reports history of using PrEP/PEP, reports unprotected sex, etc.) Exclusion Criteria: * do not speak English * are actively detoxifying from substances and need medical supervision * a score of 20 or…
Interventions
- BehavioralSmartphone Based Alcohol Monitoring (SAM)
Smartphone-based alcohol monitoring (SAM) using mobile breathalyzers and surveys.
- BehavioralTracking and Reducing Alcohol Consumption (TRAC)
The TRAC intervention focuses on increasing motivation and building skills for avoiding triggers and managing situations that encourage drinking. It requires four 30-minute sessions with a counselor using videoconferencing and mobile phones. In addition to receiving the four sessions of intervention content, participants will complete smartphone-based self-monitoring of alcohol consumption, which will be discussed during intervention sessions.
- BehavioralTRAC-ER
Ecological momentary interventions (EMI) use phones to deliver messages to reduce alcohol use and related risk behaviors during or prior to drinking events. GPS tracking can determine when individuals visit places they have previously reported drinking or triggers to drink and then EMI messages can be delivered upon arrival to prevent risky alcohol use.
Locations (2)
- Yale UniversityNew Haven, Connecticut
- University of KentuckyLexington, Kentucky