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Testing a Mobile Health Application to Improve HIV Prevention and Substance Use Treatment Among Women Involved in the Carceral System
Sponsor: Temple University
Summary
Women involved in the carceral system (WICS) are at higher risk for both HIV and substance use than the general public. WICS are also more likely to engage in behaviors both before and after release that put them at risk for HIV and for overdose, due to opioid use. Despite these risk factors, WICS are less likely to be aware of, use, or adhere to pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and have less access to medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD). The primary goal of the proposed research is to pilot test a systematically developed PrEP and MOUD uptake intervention for WICS using contextually relevant messages developed through novel formative research methods and embedded in a web-based application in a rigorous research design. The investigators will then test this approach (called PA-LINKS) in a pilot randomized trial with women who have recently been incarcerated in Philadelphia in partnership with Philadelphia FIGHT, a federally qualified health center, for promise of efficacy, and to assess feasibility and acceptability.
Official title: Development and Pilot Testing of a Mobile Health Application to Improve HIV Prevention and Substance Use Treatment Service Access Among Women Involved in the Carceral System
Key Details
Gender
FEMALE
Age Range
18 Years - Any
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
74
Start Date
2026-03
Completion Date
2026-08-30
Last Updated
2026-02-25
Healthy Volunteers
No
Conditions
Interventions
Tool to provide re-entry support and improve linkage to healthcare and social services
The PA Links application is a web-based application (meaning it does not have to be downloaded to a smart phone and can be accessed via a URL link from any device connected to the Internet). This design ensures broader access and avoids excluding individuals without smartphones. This was developed along with our technology partner Nurelm (https://nurelm.com/). Women randomized to this arm of the intervention will go through an onboarding session to assist them in creating a unique login username and password to the PA Links system (see onboarding document attached). Only those with a registered username and password can access and use the PA Links system and Nurelm will not be able to access the application after it is "live" for the pilot RCT. The application will be housed on the AWS server, which also does not have access to data or information in the app.
Locations (1)
Temple University
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States