e-HERO: Ending the HIV Epidemic in Rural Oklahoma

NCT05664802 | Completed

• 2 other identifiers: NAU IRB Protocol ID: 1827963-23U54MD012388-05S2
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 200
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The goal of this study is to increase HIV and syphilis testing and linkage to care, increase condom use, and promote PrEP uptake among sexual minority men (SMM) and American Indian (AI) men in rural Oklahoma, a state that is an Ending the HIV Epidemic (EHE) priority state. The proposed supplement aims to: refine our preliminary intervention strategy in partnership with a Community Advisory Board (CAB) and rural peer mentors, and to assess feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary impact of the e-HERO intervention.

Conditions

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)

Keywords

Sexual and Gender Minorities; American Indian; HIV Testing

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• HIV testing uptake

  HIV testing uptake is assessed through the request of an at-home rapid HIV test through the e-HERO platforms.

  Assessed at the end of month 3 of the intervention.

Secondary Outcomes (4)

• HIV testing intention

  Baseline, 1 month, and 3 months

• STI testing intention

  Baseline, 1 month, and 3 months

• PrEP consult with medical provider

  1 month and 3 months

• Condom use

  Baseline, 1 month, and 3 months

Study Arms (2)

e-HERO 2.0

EXPERIMENTAL

The e-HERO intervention includes 10 modules, totaling approximately 2.5 hours of content. Across these modules, e-HERO uses diverse delivery methods to address HIV and STI knowledge, behavioral skills, HIV and STI testing intention, and instill self-efficacy to primary and secondary prevention behaviors. Those in the intervention condition will also engage in three virtual group discussion sessions with peer mentors.

Behavioral: e-HERO: Ending the HIV Epidemic in Rural Oklahoma

e-HERO 1.0

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

e-HERO 1.0 contains the same number of modules as e-HERO. The control arm reflects HIV and STI information that is currently publicly available.

Behavioral: e-HERO: Ending the HIV Epidemic in Rural Oklahoma

Interventions

e-HERO: Ending the HIV Epidemic in Rural Oklahoma BEHAVIORAL

A behavioral intervention utilizing online platforms to assess the impact of cultural tailoring of health education material.

e-HERO 1.0; e-HERO 2.0

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 17 Years - 29 Years
• Gender Eligibility Details: Participants must identify as male, inclusive of transgender men.
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Child (0-17), Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Provide signed and dated informed consent form
• Be willing and able to follow study procedures and instructions and be available for the duration of the study
• Be between 17 and 29 years of age
• Be American Indian or a gay, bisexual, or other man who has sex with men. American Indian status is self-identified-no tribal enrollment verification will be required.
• Be a resident of Oklahoma, in a rural identified county

You may not qualify if:

• Anything that would place the individual at increased risk or preclude the individual's full compliance with, or completion of, the study.
• HIV diagnosis

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Northern Arizona University: lead
• Purdue University: collaborator
• National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD): collaborator
• Oklahoma State University: collaborator

Study Sites (1)

Northern Arizona University

Flagstaff, Arizona, 86011-4065, United States

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome; Coitus

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

HIV Infections; Blood-Borne Infections; Communicable Diseases; Infections; Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Viral; Sexually Transmitted Diseases; Lentivirus Infections; Retroviridae Infections; RNA Virus Infections; Virus Diseases; Slow Virus Diseases; Genital Diseases; Urogenital Diseases; Immunologic Deficiency Syndromes; Immune System Diseases; Sexual Behavior; Behavior

Study Officials

• Julie Baldwin, Ph.D.

  Northern Arizona University

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT
• Purpose: PREVENTION
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Regents' Professor and Director

Model Details: Centralized, computer-based group assignment using permuted blocks.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: December 16, 2022
• First Posted: December 27, 2022
• Study Start: December 1, 2022
• Primary Completion: June 19, 2024
• Study Completion: June 19, 2024
• Last Updated: April 8, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-04

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

US (1)