PrEP and MOUD Rapid Access for Persons Who Inject Drugs: The CHORUS+ Study

Summary

The US opioid overdose epidemic has been accompanied by an increase in human immunodeficiency (HIV) among persons who inject drugs. HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is an FDA approved medication taken daily orally by individuals who are HIV negative, but who are at increased risk for HIV. In order to obtain PrEP, a prescription is needed. Before being prescribed HIV PrEP, it is recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to obtain an HIV test first. Although home HIV self-test kits are recommended by the CDC and are locally available, uptake remains low.

CHORUS+ (Comprehensive HIV, Hepatitis C, and Opioid Use Disorder Response to the Unaddressed Syndemic +) is a theory-based, peer-delivered, mobile phone-supported intervention focused on enhancing uptake and adherence to HIV PrEP (primary outcome), and continuation of MOUD (secondary outcome) among persons who inject opioids. At recruitment, the intervention will include HIV self-testing, rapid initiation of PrEP and MOUD, and 6-month peer recovery coaching (PRC) to support adherence to these medications. This research study seeks to determine the efficacy of a novel intervention to increase the uptake of evidence-based measures to prevent HIV and treat opioid use disorder.

The efficacy of this multi-site, two-arm randomized control trial of CHORUS+ and usual care \[passive referral\]. This study is not testing the efficacy of PrEP or HIV home testing which is already known. In addition the investigators will determine the influence of HIV self-testing on PrEP uptake and adherence. In the CHORUS+/ intervention arm, there will be a baseline in-person session with the participant to encourage uptake of PrEP and MOUD using motivational interviewing (MI).

Conditions

• Opioid Use Disorder

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

CHORUS+

The CHORUS+ intervention will include a baseline interview with a peer recovery coach to encourage uptake of HIV PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) and medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) through motivational interviewing (MI). Participants will also be offered HIV self-testing on the day of recruitment, HIV PrEP (if they are HIV negative) and MOUD. Participants will then receive peer coaching for 6 months to increase adherence to PrEP and or MOUD.

OTHER

Standard of care

Normal protocols for care of participants who inject opioids will be followed.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)

  collaborator NIH

• Victory Programs Mobile Prevention Services Van and Navigation Center

  collaborator UNKNOWN

• Boston Medical Center

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Sabrina A Assoumou, MD MPH · Boston Medical Center, Infectious Diseases

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

NONE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2024-12-19

Primary Completion

2027-07-01

Completion

2028-06-30

Countries

• United States

Study Locations