The proposed research will include adolescent and young adult Hispanic/Latino men who have sex with men (MSM) and heterosexual men and women, aged 13-24 years, and will be based at 13 ATN Adolescent Medicine Trial Units (AMTUs) that provide clinical care and psychosocial services to the target group. In 10 of the 13 sites, comparisons will be made between alternative venue-based testing (AVT) and social and sexual network-based interviewing and HIV testing (SSNIT) strategies to assess which, among these approaches, is the most effective means for identifying undiagnosed human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in young, at-risk Hispanics/Latinos. Three of the sites will focus solely on use of SSNIT for identifying undiagnosed HIV in our target group of adolescents and young adults. All study participants will complete an audio computer-assisted self-interview (ACASI) and undergo HIV screening. Participants with presumptive HIV positive screening results will be referred to the local AMTU for confirmatory testing, post-test counseling and referrals for linkage to HIV medical care. Linkage to care for ATN 096 study participants will be conducted in accordance with the Strategic Multisite Initiative for the Identification, Linkage, and Engagement in Care of Youth with Undiagnosed HIV Infection (SMILE in CARING for YOUTH) Program (ATN 093), a collaboration of the CDC and NICHD/ATN, to ensure that youth who test positive for HIV as part of this protocol are linked with treatment and care.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
1,917
HIV testing Linkage to Care
Childrens Hospital Los Angeles
Los Angeles, California, United States
University of California San Francisco
San Francisco, California, United States
Childrens National Medical Center
Washington D.C., District of Columbia, United States
Childrens Diagnostic & Treatment Center
Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States
University of Miami School of Medicine
Miami, Florida, United States
University of South Florida
Tampa, Florida, United States
Ruth M Rothstein CORE Center/ John H Stroger Jr Hospital
Chicago, Illinois, United States
University of Maryland
Baltimore, Maryland, United States
Mount Sinai Medical Center
New York, New York, United States
Montefiore Medical Center
The Bronx, New York, United States
...and 3 more locations
Effectiveness of AVT strategy with SSNIT
To compare the relative effectiveness of AVT with SSNIT, which is a coupon-based index recruiter driven network recruitment strategy for identifying previously undiagnosed HIV infection among Hispanic/Latino adolescents and young adults aged 13-24 years.
Time frame: 2 years
Facilitators & barriers to HIV testing
To examine factors that facilitate and/or hinder Hispanic/Latino adolescents and young adults in getting an HIV test (e.g., perceived risk for HIV, acculturation, homophobia, stigma associated with IDU).
Time frame: 2 years
Sub-group differences
To explore the extent to which sub-group differences (e.g., origin of birth, age, level of acculturation) exist by prevalence of HIV-related risk behaviors, HIV testing, and mode of HIV transmission.
Time frame: 2 years
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.