The purpose of this study is to determine whether an intervention (CARE+ Corrections) delivered to HIV-infected detainees within the DC Department of Corrections (DOC) and recently -released ex-detainees in the community can improve linkage to community HIV care and adherence to HIV medications after release, and ultimately achieve or maintain HIV viral suppression following community re-entry.
The intervention is modeled after CARE, a technology based HIV-counseling tool used in other settings. The investigators have adapted CARE to create CARE+ Corrections, a tool designed specifically for incarcerated and recently-released populations. New and innovative information communication tools (ICT), including a cell phone/text messaging component delivered in the community after release from jail, will be included in the intervention. The study is a randomized controlled trial. One half of the participants will receive the intervention either inside the jail, in addition to standard discharge planning services, or in the community right after release. The other half of the participants will view an educational video related to the prevention of drug overdose following release, in addition to standard discharge planning services, or in the community right after release. The investigators will follow all participants for 6 months post release/study enrollment and determine if the linkage to community care and adherence to HIV medications was higher in the intervention arm. The study also has an evaluation component to it. The evaluation component consists in a series of qualitative interviews with the goal of gaining a better understanding of the barriers and facilitators involved in implementing the CARE+ Corrections intervention and to better assess the usability and participants' experiences with the CARE+ Corrections intervention. The semi-structured interviews are being conducted among the following groups: 1) managers and staff at local correctional facilities and agencies which have interaction with HIV+ individuals transitioning to the community; 2) leadership and selected staff at relevant and targeted community-based organizations; and 3) selected study participants from the intervention group of the RCT. the interviews elicit perspectives on the foreseen facilitators and challenges in implementing the CARE+ Corrections tool at their respective organizations as well as their perception on the acceptability of the tool. We also ask their views about the intervention and the post-release experiences of HIV-positive individuals who complete the CARE+ Corrections Tool and receive the text message plan. No prisoners will be involved in this subsection of the study.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
112
Study participants in the intervention arm will complete the computer-based CARE+ Corrections tool at baseline. The CARE tool provides tailored feedback based on the participants' responses to a series of questions included in the counseling session. Participants in this arm of the study recruited inside the DC DOC will receive typical discharge planning services as conducted by the correctional facility. Participants will be followed for six months after release/study enrollment. At the post-release baseline visit, participants in the intervention arm will receive a cell phone/SMS text messaging intervention consisting of using cell phone-delivered SMS text messages with the intent of improving linkage to community HIV care and adherence to ART (if prescribed.)
Participants in the Control Arm will view an educational video on opiate overdose prevention in jail prior to release. Control arm participants will be followed after release/study enrollment, just like participants in the Intervention Arm, and Plasma Viral Loads will be collected from them at baseline and follow-up.
Family and Medical Counseling Services
Washington D.C., District of Columbia, United States
Plasma Viral Load Suppression
Plasma viral load at 24 weeks measured by viral load testing or medical chart abstraction
Time frame: 24 weeks
Linkage to Community Care
At least 1 visit to health care provider in past 24 weeks/6 months
Time frame: 24 weeks
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.