Development and Pilot Testing of a Mobile Health Application to Improve HIV Prevention and Substance Use Treatment Service Access Among Women Involved in the Carceral System
Temple University
Summary
Women involved in the carceral system (WICS) are at higher risk for both HIV and substance use than the general public. WICS are also more likely to engage in behaviors both before and after release that put them at risk for HIV and for overdose, due to opioid use. Despite these risk factors, WICS are less likely to be aware of, use, or adhere to pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and have less access to medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD). The primary goal of the proposed research is to pilot test a systematically developed PrEP and MOUD uptake intervention for WICS using contextually relevant messages developed through novel formative research methods and embedded in a web-based application in a rigorous research design. The investigators will then test this approach (called PA-LINKS) in a pilot randomized trial with women who have recently been incarcerated in Philadelphia in partnership with Philadelphia FIGHT, a federally qualified health center, for promise of efficacy, and to assess feasibility and acceptability.
Description
The primary goal of the proposed research is to pilot test a systematically developed intervention for women who have been recently incarcerated to engage with pre-exposure prophalaxis (PrEP) and medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) to prevent HIV infection and overdose. The intervention will use contextually relevant messages developed through novel formative research methods and be embedded in a web-based application called PA Links. The investigators will then test this approach in a pilot randomized trial with women who have recently been incarcerated. The purpose is to enhance commun…