Combining Social Network Strategies and Routine Substance Use Screening

NCT07414459 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 2 other identifiers: 813457R37DA063274
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 500
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study aims to improve health care for people who may have HIV or substance use disorders by bringing two services to a large community health center in Chicago. First, the clinic will begin offering routine screening for substance use to all patients. Second, the study will offer a social network-based program that helps people identify friends or partners who may need support and link them to care. The goal is to help more people learn their HIV status, reduce HIV levels in the community, and connect people with substance use treatment when needed. The study will also look at how well these services can be added into everyday clinic practice and what is needed to keep them going over time.

Conditions

HIV; Substance Use Disorder (SUD)

Keywords

social networks; HIV; substance use disorder; HIV testing; HIV prevention; harm reduction; social stigma; programs; testing; treatment; mental health; community clinic; intervention; color; Chicago; drug abuse; addiction

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

• Rate of Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Detection

  The number and proportion of patients who screen positive for substance use disorder using the routine SUD screening tool (NIDA Quick Screen) compared with the number identified through existing electronic medical record (EMR) documentation. This outcome measures whether routine screening increases the detection of individuals with possible SUD.

  Baseline through 24 months

• Number of Individuals Identified as Viremic and/or Having SUD Through the Social Network Intervention (SNI)

  The number of people identified through the Social Network Intervention who have unsuppressed HIV (viremia), substance use disorder, or both. This will be compared to a functional control group (new or re-engaged clinic patients during the same time period) to determine whether the SNI is more effective at finding high-priority individuals needing care.

  Baseline through 24 months

• Linkage to HIV Care or Substance Use Services

  The proportion of individuals identified through SUD screening or the SNI who successfully link to harm reduction, HIV care, or substance use treatment services. This outcome assesses early engagement in care following identification.

  Baseline through 24 months

Secondary Outcomes (8)

• Viral Suppression Among Individuals Identified Through Screening or SNI

  Baseline through 24 months

• Time to Linkage to HIV Care or Substance Use Services

  Baseline through 24 months

• Number of New HIV Diagnoses Identified Through the SNI

  Baseline through 24 months

• Substance Use Treatment Initiation

  Baseline through 24 months

• Re-engagement in HIV Care

  Baseline through 24 months

Study Arms (2)

Routine Substance Use disorder (SUD) screening

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

A routine screener for substance use disorder (SUD) will be added to the standard of care at HBH regardless of HIV status or demographic characteristics.

Behavioral: Substance use disorder screening

Social Network Intervention (SNI)

EXPERIMENTAL

In addition to the routine screener for SUD, this arm will receive the Social Network Intervention (SNI), which include the following elements: 1. recruiting, screening, and interviewing "index participants"; 2. training the index participants to recruit others; 3. screening and interviewing persons who present a valid recruitment voucher given to them by an index participant; and 4. training recruits to recruit others.

Behavioral: Substance use disorder screening; Behavioral: Social network intervention

Interventions

Substance use disorder screening BEHAVIORAL

Implement a routine SUD screening at the FQHC.

Routine Substance Use disorder (SUD) screening; Social Network Intervention (SNI)

Social network intervention BEHAVIORAL

Social network intervention (SNI) to identify individuals who are viremic, have SUD, or both and link them to harm reduction and HIV continuum of care services. There are three main activities that make up the SNI: 1) recruiting, screening, and interviewing "index participants"; 2) training the index participants to recruit others; 3) screening and interviewing persons who present a valid recruitment voucher given to them by an index participant.

Social Network Intervention (SNI)

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: male
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Assigned male sex at birth
• Has sex with men
• Speaks English or Spanish

You may not qualify if:

• Institutionalized individuals
• Women
• Non-Hispanic whites

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of California, San Diego: lead
• Howard Brown Health Center: collaborator
• University of Chicago: collaborator
• National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA): collaborator

Study Sites (1)

Howard Brown Health

Chicago, Illinois, 60657, United States

Location

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MeSH Terms

Conditions

Substance-Related Disorders; Harm Reduction; Social Stigma; Psychological Well-Being; Behavior, Addictive

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Chemically-Induced Disorders; Mental Disorders; Behavior; Social Behavior; Personal Satisfaction; Compulsive Behavior; Impulsive Behavior

Study Officials

• Britt Skaathun

  University of California, San Diego

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Britt Skaathun, PhD

CONTACT

619-543-5011; bskaathun@health.ucsd.edu

Nicole Carter, MPH

CONTACT

619-471-0796; nscarter@health.ucsd.edu

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: NON RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: SUPPORTIVE CARE
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Assistant Adjunct Professor

Model Details: Viral suppression and SUD reduction will be monitored via chart review and used to parameterize an agent-based model (ABM) examining the potential population-level impact of implementing the SUD screener and SNI across Chicago on the local HIV epidemic. Control data will consist of standard intake data on new patients and patients returning to care at HBH. Standard intake data will be collected corresponding to the same timeframe as the recruitment period for the SNI.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: February 9, 2026
• First Posted: February 17, 2026
• Study Start (Estimated): July 31, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): April 30, 2028
• Study Completion (Estimated): April 1, 2029
• Last Updated: May 5, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-02

Locations

US (1)