Duke University
The goal of this clinical trial is to test a new online program called UPDOs Protective Styles to help people in the southeastern United States learn about and start using PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis), a medicine that helps prevent HIV. The study focuses on people who may be at higher risk for HIV and have not had equal access to PrEP. The main questions it aims to answer are: Does UPDOs help more people trust and understand PrEP? Does UPDOs increase the number of people who start and continue using PrEP? Researchers will compare two groups: One group will use UPDOs, which includes six weekly videos, blog discussions, and access to telehealth services through Q Care Plus. The other group will receive standard HIV prevention materials from the CDC. Participants will: Be recruited from 32 beauty salons in areas with high HIV rates. Complete surveys at the start of the study and again at 6, 12, 24, 32, and 52 weeks. Have access to HIV testing and PrEP prescriptions through Q Care Plus. This study will also look at how well the program works in different communities and how easy it is to use and share.
HIV disproportionately affects people living in the United States Southeast, threatening progress toward the Ending the HIV Epidemic (EHE) initiative's 2030 goals. Therefore, interventions that consider the lived experiences and needs of this at-risk population are urgently needed to support individuals in these geographic areas from medication precontemplation to uptake to maintenance. Under the leadership of the Principal Investigator and in partnership with communities, an established Community Advisory Council (CAC), an online telehealth platform (Q Care Plus), and beauty salon stylists,…
Inclusion Criteria: * Black * cisgender female * Ages 18+ Exclusion Criteria: * Under 18 years of age * Does not identify as Black * Not a cisgender female
An e-Health intervention that considers women's lived experiences and uses three components: beauty salons and stylists as opinion leaders (trusted gatekeepers who share health information in the community), theory driven edutainment videos and blogs, and a secure online platform for accessing pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP).
CDC standard of care, e.g., CDC videos and website.