Peer-Driven Intervention to Enroll Minorities/Women in HIV/AIDS Clinical Trials (ACT2)

Funding Source: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
Funding Period: 2007-2011
Principal Investigator: Marya Viorst Gwadz
CDUHR Co-Investigator(s): Charles M. Cleland, Ph.D.; Noelle R. Leonard, Ph.D.
Project Director: Amanda Ritchie, M.A.A.
Other Project Staff: Angela Banfield, M.P.H. (Counselor); Pablo Colon, D.P.M. (AIDS Clinical Trial Screener); Robert Quiles (Research Assistant)

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 will evaluate the efficacy of a peer-driven intervention to improve ACT screening and enrollment rates among racial/ethnic minorities and women living with HIV/AIDS (PLHA). It will also explore "how" the intervention might work by examining whether the effects of the intervention on ACT screening and enrollment are mediated by changes in various individual/intrapersonal, attitudinal, and social/structural influences. In addition the study will examine positive and negative effects of ACT screening for those not found eligible for ACTs.  Last, a clinical description of PLHA who are found ineligible for current ACTs will also be disseminated to stakeholders to address a long-term objective of developing new ACT practices that will result in higher eligibility rates for these groups. To increase comparability between the intervention and control groups, both will be recruited using respondent-driven sampling. The design is equivalent to a randomized controlled trial. Participants will be interviewed at three intervals over 12 months. Study findings may also have valuable applications in other arenas where racial/ethnic and gender-related health disparities are found.