Optimizing PrEP Uptake for African American Women in the South by Empowering Women to Make Informed HIV Prevention and Sexual Health Choices
University of Georgia
Summary
Pilot testing of EMPOWER, a group sexual health intervention, to increase uptake and persistence of PrEP
Description
This study will pilot test the telehealth intervention EMPOWER (Enhancing and Motivating PrEP Options among Women through Empowerment and Resilience) by adapting an evidence-informed intervention, POWER (Progressing Our Well-Being, Emotions, and Relationships) based on mindfulness and cognitive behavioral therapy, to improve PrEP uptake and persistence by Black women in the South. Conduct a waitlist-controlled, randomized pilot trial of the 6-session group intervention using a crossover design with 80 Black women. Clinical outcomes will be the PrEP uptake and PrEP persistence measured by TDF…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 18+ years
- Sex
- Female
- Healthy volunteers
- Yes
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Identification as cis-gendered Black woman; 2. Age 18 and older; 3. Engaging in risky sexual behavior in prior 3 months (condomless vaginal or anal sex with a non-main partner, or a partner with known or suspected risk behavior such as injection drug use or HIV/STI, multiple sex partners, transactional sex); 4. Access to a device with a screen, a web browser, and adequate internet speed (e.g., smartphone, computer) for videoconferencing; 5. Able to speak and read English; and 6. No plans to leave the Atlanta, GA area during the duration of study participation. Exclusio…
Interventions
- BehavioralEMPOWER
EMPOWER, a group-based 6 sessions telehealth behavioral intervention, will comprise sexual health goals and values elicitation, sexual health plan development, and motivational enhancement skills will be used to promote effective HIV prevention decision-making within the relationship context, incorporating the sexual values of each participant. This will allow each participant to develop a personalized, tailored sexual health plan that includes PrEP deliberation to enhance PrEP decision-making, uptake and persistence within a culturally congruent and empowering program that aims to reduce stigma around HIV and barriers to access.
Location
- Empowerment Resource CenterAtlanta, Georgia