Project dates: May 2007 - April 2012
Co-Investigator: Cleland, Charles
Co-Investigator: Leonard, Noelle
Racial/ethnic minorities and women are disproportionately over-represented among those with HIV/AIDS in the U.S, yet they are under-represented in AIDS clinical trials (ACTs). This study evaluated the efficacy of a culturally targeted peer-driven intervention to improve ACT screening and enrollment rates among racial/ethnic minorities and women living with HIV/AIDS (PLHA). The intervention was comprised of three facilitated small-group sessions, and patient navigation through the screening process which facilitated access to screening for ACTs. The study was evaluated in a cluster randomized controlled trial design and compared to a typical health education program. The study found that the intervention substantially increased rates of screening for ACTs, and 9 out of 10 of those found eligible for a medical study or trial enrolled in a study, mainly biomedical observational studies. The findings also have important implications for other health conditions for which racial/ethnic disparities persist in clinical trials, and other types of medical research, including HCV, cancer, and HIV vaccine research.
Abstract on NIH RePORTERACT2 peer-driven intervention increases enrollment into HIV/AIDS medical studies among African Americans/Blacks and Hispanics: A cluster randomized controlled trial
AIDS and Behavior, 18 (12), 2409-2422. doi: 10.1007/s10461-014-0829-5. PMCID: PMC4451823.
Gwadz M, Cleland CM, Leonard NR, Ritchie AS, Banfield A, Riedel M, Colon P, Mildvan D (2013).
Predictors of screening for AIDS clinical trials among African-Americans and Latino/Hispanics enrolled in an efficacious peer-driven intervention: Uncovering socio-demographic, health, and substance use-related factors that promote or impede screening
AIDS and Behavior, 17 (2), 801-812. doi: 10.1007/s10461-012-0194-1. PMCID: PMC4181555.
Leonard NR, Banfield A, Riedel M, Ritchie AS, Mildvan D, Arredondo G, Cleland CM, Gwadz MV (2013).
Description of an efficacious behavioral peer-driven intervention to reduce racial/ethnic disparities in AIDS clinical trials
Health Education Research, 28 (4), 574-590. doi: 10.1093/her/cyt052. PMCID: PMC3708137.
Gwadz MV, Leonard NR, Cleland CM, Riedel M, Banfield A, Mildvan D (2011).
The effect of peer-driven intervention on rates of screening for AIDS clinical trials among African Americans and Hispanics
American Journal of Public Health, 101 (6), 1096-1102. doi: 10.2105/AJPH.2010.196048. PMCID: PMC3093288.
Gwadz MV, Colon P, Ritchie AS, Leonard NR, Cleland CM, Riedel M, Bowens D, Banfield AD, Chang P, Quiles R, Mildvan D (2010).
Increasing and supporting the participation of persons of color living with HIV/AIDS in AIDS clinical trials
Current HIV/AIDS Reports, 7 (4), 194-200. doi: 10.1007/s11904-010-0055-3. PMCID: PMC3634564.
July 2012