A protocol for a randomized controlled trial of couples motivational interviewing to reduce drug use and HIV transmission risk among male couples in the US: the Couples Health Project

Abstract Background To reduce substance use and sexual HIV transmission risk among sexual minority men (SMM) requires the development of interventions tailored for those in relationships. In the past 5 years, there have been considerable advances in the development of motivational nterviewing (MI) w...

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Main Authors: Tyrel J. Starks, Joseph R. Hillesheim, Juan Castiblanco, Gabriel Robles, Karen S Ingersoll, Angulique Y. Outlaw, Demetria Cain
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2024-11-01
Series:BMC Public Health
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-024-20719-y
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author Tyrel J. Starks
Joseph R. Hillesheim
Juan Castiblanco
Gabriel Robles
Karen S Ingersoll
Angulique Y. Outlaw
Demetria Cain
author_facet Tyrel J. Starks
Joseph R. Hillesheim
Juan Castiblanco
Gabriel Robles
Karen S Ingersoll
Angulique Y. Outlaw
Demetria Cain
author_sort Tyrel J. Starks
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background To reduce substance use and sexual HIV transmission risk among sexual minority men (SMM) requires the development of interventions tailored for those in relationships. In the past 5 years, there have been considerable advances in the development of motivational nterviewing (MI) with couples. The Couples Health Project (CHP) is the first multi-session risk reduction protocol built on this formative research. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of CHP relative to a standard of care control – couples HIV testing and counseling (CHTC). Methods Eligibility includes couples where both partners are aged 18 or older, identify as cisgender male (assigned male sex at birth and identify as male gender), live in the US, and can communicate in English. Additionally, at least one partner has to be aged 18–34, HIV-negative, report recent drug use (excluding cannabis) and report condomless anal sex during the past 30 days. Couples are randomized post-baseline assessment to either CHP or CHTC. Follow-up assessments are completed at 3, 6, and 9-months post-randomization. Discussion Findings from this trial will inform the practice of MI with couples. If found efficacious, the CHP intervention would be the first multi-session MI with couples’ risk reduction protocol designed for use by substance use treatment or HIV prevention service providers who wish to engage SMM and their relationship partners. Protocol version 1.0; April 1, 2024. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov Protocol Registration; NCT06307977; completed March 6, 2024; https://register.clinicaltrials.gov/ .
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spelling doaj-art-231bb99e632045a8ac321b8691e175ba2025-08-20T02:22:30ZengBMCBMC Public Health1471-24582024-11-0124111010.1186/s12889-024-20719-yA protocol for a randomized controlled trial of couples motivational interviewing to reduce drug use and HIV transmission risk among male couples in the US: the Couples Health ProjectTyrel J. Starks0Joseph R. Hillesheim1Juan Castiblanco2Gabriel Robles3Karen S Ingersoll4Angulique Y. Outlaw5Demetria Cain6Department of Psychology, Hunter College of the City University of New York (CUNY)Department of Psychology, Hunter College of the City University of New York (CUNY)Department of Psychology, Hunter College of the City University of New York (CUNY)School of Social Work, Rutgers UniversityDepartment of Psychiatry and Neurobehavioral Sciences, University of Virginia School of MedicineDepartment of Family Medicine and Public Health Sciences, Wayne State University School of MedicineDepartment of Psychology, Hunter College of the City University of New York (CUNY)Abstract Background To reduce substance use and sexual HIV transmission risk among sexual minority men (SMM) requires the development of interventions tailored for those in relationships. In the past 5 years, there have been considerable advances in the development of motivational nterviewing (MI) with couples. The Couples Health Project (CHP) is the first multi-session risk reduction protocol built on this formative research. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of CHP relative to a standard of care control – couples HIV testing and counseling (CHTC). Methods Eligibility includes couples where both partners are aged 18 or older, identify as cisgender male (assigned male sex at birth and identify as male gender), live in the US, and can communicate in English. Additionally, at least one partner has to be aged 18–34, HIV-negative, report recent drug use (excluding cannabis) and report condomless anal sex during the past 30 days. Couples are randomized post-baseline assessment to either CHP or CHTC. Follow-up assessments are completed at 3, 6, and 9-months post-randomization. Discussion Findings from this trial will inform the practice of MI with couples. If found efficacious, the CHP intervention would be the first multi-session MI with couples’ risk reduction protocol designed for use by substance use treatment or HIV prevention service providers who wish to engage SMM and their relationship partners. Protocol version 1.0; April 1, 2024. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov Protocol Registration; NCT06307977; completed March 6, 2024; https://register.clinicaltrials.gov/ .https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-024-20719-yMen who have sex with menCouplesGay and bisexual menSubstance useClub drugsEmerging adults
spellingShingle Tyrel J. Starks
Joseph R. Hillesheim
Juan Castiblanco
Gabriel Robles
Karen S Ingersoll
Angulique Y. Outlaw
Demetria Cain
A protocol for a randomized controlled trial of couples motivational interviewing to reduce drug use and HIV transmission risk among male couples in the US: the Couples Health Project
BMC Public Health
Men who have sex with men
Couples
Gay and bisexual men
Substance use
Club drugs
Emerging adults
title A protocol for a randomized controlled trial of couples motivational interviewing to reduce drug use and HIV transmission risk among male couples in the US: the Couples Health Project
title_full A protocol for a randomized controlled trial of couples motivational interviewing to reduce drug use and HIV transmission risk among male couples in the US: the Couples Health Project
title_fullStr A protocol for a randomized controlled trial of couples motivational interviewing to reduce drug use and HIV transmission risk among male couples in the US: the Couples Health Project
title_full_unstemmed A protocol for a randomized controlled trial of couples motivational interviewing to reduce drug use and HIV transmission risk among male couples in the US: the Couples Health Project
title_short A protocol for a randomized controlled trial of couples motivational interviewing to reduce drug use and HIV transmission risk among male couples in the US: the Couples Health Project
title_sort protocol for a randomized controlled trial of couples motivational interviewing to reduce drug use and hiv transmission risk among male couples in the us the couples health project
topic Men who have sex with men
Couples
Gay and bisexual men
Substance use
Club drugs
Emerging adults
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-024-20719-y
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