This study will evaluate the effect of a brief alcohol counseling intervention on PrEP and PEP adherence among adults with heavy alcohol use at high risk for HIV, while gaining insights into the facilitators, barriers, and cost-effectiveness of this approach.
The investigators have developed a mobilization strategy of integrating HIV testing within multi-disease screening to recruit \>2,000 people from drinking venues in Kenya and Uganda and invite them to begin biomedical HIV prevention if eligible (OPAL Aim 1; NCT05862857) Following uptake of biomedical HIV prevention, persons with heavy alcohol use face challenges with retention in care and adherence to PrEP/PEP. The investigators have adapted a brief alcohol counseling intervention (Health Living Intervention) to reduce alcohol use and promote antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence and HIV viral suppression among persons with HIV in Kenya and Uganda. The investigators now need to determine whether this intervention can promote retention in biomedical prevention and PrEP/PEP adherence among adults with heavy alcohol use. Specific Aims: * Determine the efficacy of the Healthy Living Intervention (HLI) to reduce heavy alcohol use vs. standard care (control) on retention in biomedical HIV prevention in a randomized trial among adults with heavy alcohol use. * Determine the cost-effectiveness of interventions that increase biomedical HIV prevention retention among adults at high-risk for HIV who attend drinking venues. The proposed research will address the critical intersection of alcohol use and HIV risk in SSA, by promoting retention of biomedical HIV prevention and exploring associated facilitators and barriers.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
400
The Healthy Living Intervention (HLI) is a brief alcohol counseling intervention developed using the Information, Motivation, and Behavioral skills (IMB) model, a framework in which information, motivation, and behavioral skills are key determinants of health behavior. Participants initiating PrEP will be randomized to either HLI or standard of care alcohol counseling.
Participants who are randomized to the control arm will receive basic alcohol counseling through the Ministry of Health if it is provided as standard of care.
Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI)
Mbita, Kenya
RECRUITINGInfectious Diseases Research Collaboration (IDRC)
Mbarara, Uganda
RECRUITINGProportion of follow up time on biomedical prevention with PrEP or PEP
The proportion of time during the 24 weeks after PrEP/PEP initiation that a person is protected from HIV with PrEP/PEP, assessed by prescription refill data. Prescription refill data will be collected from MoH medical and pharmacy records, augmented by OPAL case report forms.
Time frame: Measured 24 weeks after PrEP or PEP initiation
Proportion of follow up time on biomedical prevention with PrEP or PEP- 48 weeks
Secondary analysis of the primary outcome will measure the proportion of time that a person is protected from HIV with PrEP/PEP over 48 weeks, with integrated drug levels measured in hair samples collected at 48 weeks.
Time frame: Measured over 48 weeks after PrEP or PEP initiation
Proportion of participants with unhealthy alcohol use (defined by AUDIT-C ≥3 for women, ≥4 for men, and phosphatidylethanol (PEth) ≥50 ng/mL) at week 48
Study staff will assess AUDIT-C scores (modified to refer to the prior 3 months, with a minimum of 0, indicating no alcohol use, and a maximum of 12) with a standard drink guide adapted to local context at baseline and every 12-weeks post-baseline. Blood will also be collected, and dried blood spots prepared for phosphatidylethanol (PEth) testing (measured in ng/mL with higher levels associated with greater alcohol use) at baseline and 48-weeks for confirmation of self-reported alcohol use.
Time frame: Measured 48 weeks after PrEP or PEP initiation
Proportion of participants with HIV seroconversion by week 48
HIV seroconversion will be measured as documented rapid HIV antibody test positivity with Geenius confirmation or documented detectable HIV viral load, with rapid HIV testing. HIV testing will occur at PrEP refill and injection visits, or completion of a course of PEP.
Time frame: Measured 48 weeks after PrEP or PEP initiation
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.