In the era of HIV treatment as prevention (TasP), efforts are needed to identify evidence-based combination prevention approaches that achieve greater decreases HIV viral load among populations that are more likely to engage in HIV transmission risk behavior. Because methamphetamine-using men who have sex with men (MSM) are at greater risk for acquiring and transmitting medication-resistant strains of HIV, interventions targeting stimulant use in this population of high-risk men could boost the effectiveness of TasP. At present, only conditional cash transfer approaches such as contingency management (CM) have demonstrated short- term efficacy in reducing stimulant use among substance-using MSM who are not actively seeking formal treatment. The proposed RCT will examine the efficacy of a positive affect intervention that is designed to optimize the effectiveness of CM to achieve long-term reductions in stimulant use and HIV viral load in this population. Our team will examine the efficacy of this integrative intervention in a randomized controlled trial (RCT) with 230 HIV-positive, methamphetamine-using MSM. After enrolling in CM, participants will be randomized to receive either: 1) the positive affect intervention;or 2) a attention-matched control condition. Follow-up data will be collected at 2, 3, 6, and 12 months post-randomization. This RCT will provide an opportunity to examine the efficacy of an integrative intervention designed to promote long-term reductions in HIV viral load as the primary outcome. Secondary outcomes that will be examined include: increases positive affect, reductions in stimulant use, improvements in T-helper (CD4+) count, and decreases HIV transmission risk behavior. Identifying an efficacious intervention approach to decrease HIV viral load among methamphetamine-using MSM would substantially support the goals of the National HIV/AIDS Strategy to reduce HIV incidence and mitigate HIV-related health disparities.

Public Health Relevance

The proposed randomized controlled trial addresses a critical public health issue facing men who have sex with men (MSM). By utilizing contingency management as the platform for the delivery of an innovative positive affect intervention, this research could identify the first efficacious integrative intervention for promoting long-term reductions in HIV viral load among methamphetamine-using MSM. Efficacious interventions for this population are desperately needed to alleviate human suffering associated with substance abuse as well as optimize health outcomes and decrease HIV transmission rates.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
3R01DA033854-01A1S1
Application #
8657172
Study Section
Behavioral and Social Consequences of HIV/AIDS Study Section (BSCH)
Program Officer
Aklin, Will
Project Start
2013-01-01
Project End
2017-12-31
Budget Start
2013-01-01
Budget End
2013-12-31
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2013
Total Cost
$20,401
Indirect Cost
$1,511
Name
University of California San Francisco
Department
Other Health Professions
Type
Schools of Nursing
DUNS #
094878337
City
San Francisco
State
CA
Country
United States
Zip Code
94143
Jin, Harry; Ogunbajo, Adedotun; Mimiaga, Matthew J et al. (2018) Over the influence: The HIV care continuum among methamphetamine-using men who have sex with men. Drug Alcohol Depend 192:125-128
Hojilla, J Carlo; Vlahov, David; Glidden, David V et al. (2018) Skating on thin ice: stimulant use and sub-optimal adherence to HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis. J Int AIDS Soc 21:e25103
Carrico, Adam W; G?mez, Walter; Jain, Jennifer et al. (2018) Randomized controlled trial of a positive affect intervention for methamphetamine users. Drug Alcohol Depend 192:8-15
Grosgebauer, Kaitlin; Salinas, Jessica; Sharkey, Mark et al. (2018) Psychosocial Correlates of Monocyte Activation and HIV Persistence in Methamphetamine Users. J Neuroimmune Pharmacol :
Carrico, Adam W; Flentje, Annesa; Kober, Kord et al. (2018) Recent stimulant use and leukocyte gene expression in methamphetamine users with treated HIV infection. Brain Behav Immun 71:108-115
Carrico, Adam W; Cherenack, Emily M; Roach, Margaret E et al. (2018) Substance-associated elevations in monocyte activation among methamphetamine users with treated HIV infection. AIDS 32:767-771
Hojilla, J Carlo; Vlahov, David; Crouch, Pierre-Cedric et al. (2018) HIV Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) Uptake and Retention Among Men Who Have Sex with Men in a Community-Based Sexual Health Clinic. AIDS Behav 22:1096-1099
Hojilla, J Carlo; Mehrotra, Megha; Truong, Hong-Ha M et al. (2018) HIV sero disclosure among men who have sex with men and transgender women on HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis. AIDS Care 30:466-472
Flentje, Annesa; Kober, Kord M; Carrico, Adam W et al. (2018) Minority stress and leukocyte gene expression in sexual minority men living with treated HIV infection. Brain Behav Immun 70:335-345
Carrico, Adam W; Zepf, Roland; Meanley, Steven et al. (2016) Critical Review: When the Party is Over: A Systematic Review of Behavioral Interventions for Substance-Using Men Who Have Sex with Men. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr 73:299-306

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