Couples ART Adherence Intervention for PWID in Kazakhstan

Study Results

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Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

COMPLETED

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

132 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2020-10-26

Study Completion Date

2024-06-30

Brief Summary

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The fastest growing HIV epidemics globally are driven by injection drug use, but only a small percentage of HIV-positive people who inject drugs (PWID) have achieved viral suppression. The proposed project will adapt a couple-based antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence intervention for PWID and assess the feasibility and acceptability of conducting dried blood spot testing to objectively measure ART adherence as part of an intervention in a clinical setting. This project advances HIV intervention science by providing an intervention that leverages social support within the dyad to improve ART adherence among PWID, which could lead to increased viral suppression, thus decreasing HIV transmission and HIV-related morbidity and mortality.

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Detailed Description

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The purpose of this Mentored Research Scientist Development Award (K01) is to provide the candidate with the training and expertise needed to transition to research independence in the science of HIV prevention and intervention. The fastest growing HIV epidemics globally are driven by injection drug use. Central Asia has some of the highest rates of injection drug use and one of the fastest growing HIV epidemics in the world. HIV-positive people who inject drugs (PWID) face many barriers to antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence, such as misperceptions about ART, stigma and substance use. Previous research among this population has shown that couple-based HIV interventions are highly efficacious at reducing risk behaviors, but there is currently no couple-based ART adherence intervention for PWID. The research aims of this proposal are to 1) identify core components of the SMART Couples intervention and other existing ART adherence intervention strategies and assess their appropriateness and feasibility as an integrated, couple-based ART adherence intervention for HIV+ PWID living in Kazakhstan (Phase 1); 2) adapt and refine SMART Couples and identify augmentative intervention strategies to create an integrated, couple-based ART adherence intervention for HIV+ PWID and their primary sex partners using results from Aim 1 (Phase 2); and 3a) pilot test the resulting couple-based intervention among 66 heterosexual PWID couples in Kazakhstan through a randomized control trial to assess the safety, feasibility, and acceptability of the intervention and obtain preliminary estimates of adherence outcomes in the intervention arm versus standard of care; and 3b) assess the feasibility and acceptability of conducting dried blood spot testing as part of an adherence intervention in a clinical setting (Phase 3). The proposed career development plan has been designed to augment the candidate's current training in epidemiology and enable her to 1) gain research skills in the design and adaptation of HIV interventions, with an emphasis on adherence among marginalized populations; 2) obtain methodological expertise in dyad and intensive longitudinal analysis and the triangulation of behavioral, biomedical, and technological data, particularly for the purposes of interpreting and analyzing these types of data to assess intervention efficacy and measure ART adherence; 3) acquire training in the conduct and analysis of qualitative in-depth interviews and focus groups, particularly for designing and adapting HIV interventions and assessing intervention feasibility and acceptability; and 4) increase professional skills for a successful independent research career. These training goals will be achieved through a combination of didactic courses, specialized workshops and seminars, hands-on research, and an interdisciplinary team of experts. The research findings and methodological skills to be gained from this K01 have wide applicability for disease research and high transferability across diverse research settings.

Conditions

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HIV Infections Substance Use Disorders

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Primary Study Purpose

TREATMENT

Blinding Strategy

SINGLE

Participants

Study Groups

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Intervention

Subjects will receive an intervention is based off of current evidence-based practices and will consist of activities designed to strengthen support within the couple to improve adherence to antiretroviral therapy.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

SMART Couples 2

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

The intervention will consist of 4 sessions with activities designed to strengthen communication and support within the couple to improve adherence to antiretroviral therapy and increase linkage to drug treatment services. The activities are based on cognitive-behavioral therapy. Participants' adherence will be monitored continuously through electronic monitoring devices and surveys completed at baseline and follow-up periods.

Standard of Care

Standard of Care is the comparison arm that consists of care currently provided at the AIDS Center. Subjects will receive a consultation with a healthcare provider every three months, prescription refills, and blood draws for viral load and CD4 testing.

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Standard of Care

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Standard of Care consists of an appointment with an AIDS Center nurse at baseline and two months later. Under current Standard of Care in Almaty, no behavioral intervention is provided. Participants obtain prescription refills and give blood for viral load and CD4 tests once every 6 months.

Interventions

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SMART Couples 2

The intervention will consist of 4 sessions with activities designed to strengthen communication and support within the couple to improve adherence to antiretroviral therapy and increase linkage to drug treatment services. The activities are based on cognitive-behavioral therapy. Participants' adherence will be monitored continuously through electronic monitoring devices and surveys completed at baseline and follow-up periods.

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Standard of Care

Standard of Care consists of an appointment with an AIDS Center nurse at baseline and two months later. Under current Standard of Care in Almaty, no behavioral intervention is provided. Participants obtain prescription refills and give blood for viral load and CD4 tests once every 6 months.

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

Couples are eligible to participate if:

1. both partners are ≥18 years old,
2. both identify each other as their primary sexual partner (e.g. spouse, girlfriend/boyfriend, regular sexual partner),
3. the relationship has existed at least 3 months,
4. both report feeling safe participating with their partner in the study,
5. neither reports any severe physical or sexual violence perpetrated by the other partner in the past year,
6. both are able to provide informed consent and follow study procedures, and
7. both are fluent in Russian.

In addition, the "index case" (partner initially recruited from AIDS Center) must: (1) be confirmed HIV+ by the AIDS Center, (2) have been on ART at least 3 months, (3) not be virally suppressed according to the AIDS Center standard (\<500 copies/ml), and (4) report injecting any drug in the past year.

1. unable to provide informed consent,
2. unwilling or unable to participate in study procedures,
3. any condition that, in the opinion of the principal investigator and research staff, would make participation in the study unsafe, complicate interpretation of study outcome data, or otherwise interfere with achieving the study objectives.

Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes