California MEPS Hub

Summary

The California Hub for HIV/SUD Prevention Research with Reentry Populations addresses the question: "Can the evidence-based MEPS intervention be adapted and implemented at a range of organizations to effectively serve a wider range of clients?"

The Mobile Enhanced Prevention Support (MEPS) intervention was originally implemented in Los Angeles County and was proven successful in promoting biomedical HIV prevention (PrEP) uptake and preventative screenings in people who used drugs who recently left incarceration. MEPS is an evidence-based intervention for people with substance use disorders (SUD) that incorporates a client-centered planning session, including trained peer mentors, service utilization incentives, and a mobile application (GeoPass).

The study includes a randomized controlled trial (RCT) across three community partners located in Riverside and Alameda Counties. At least 300 people will be enrolled in these three counties; the first 200 will be randomized to either receive the intervention or usual care, with the final 100 all receiving the intervention. The primary implementation outcome for the study involves using an implementation science framework and assessment tools to examine MEPS's implementation. Key outcomes include how well the implementation strategies used support intervention enrollment and retention, integration with existing services in each partnering community agency, and perceived intervention acceptability, feasibility, appropriateness, and maintenance at 6- and 12-months. The primary effectiveness outcome for the study is an increase in HIV testing, PrEP uptake and adherence, and SUD service utilization at 6 months and 12 months in the MEPS compared to the usual care group. Secondary effectiveness outcomes include frequency of service use for SUDs, hepatitis C virus testing, and linkage to care for those who test positive for HIV or hepatitis C.

Conditions

• HIV Prevention
• Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI)
• Preexposure Prophylaxis (PrEP)
• Incarceration
• Hepatitis C Virus (HCV)
• Substance Use Disorder (SUD)

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Mobile Enhanced Prevention Support (MEPS)

The 6 month MEPS intervention consists of 14 sessions with a peer mentor over a period of 6 months; up to $600 cash incentives for accessing medical and non-medical services while working the the peer mentor; and a smartphone app to keep track of goals, incentive earnings and provider appointments, a provider search feature, and fill out surveys based on participant experiences with services.

OTHER

Control

Client-centered goal planning session plus usual care

Sponsors & Collaborators

• National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)

  collaborator NIH

• University of California, Berkeley

  collaborator OTHER

• Charles Drew University of Medicine and Science

  collaborator OTHER

• Starting Over, Inc

  collaborator UNKNOWN

• Kindful Restoration

  collaborator UNKNOWN

• CAL-PEP

  collaborator UNKNOWN

• University of California, Los Angeles

  lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

PREVENTION

Masking

NONE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Max Age

59 Years

Sex

MALE

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2025-12-01

Primary Completion

2029-07-31

Completion

2029-07-31

Countries

• United States

Study Locations