Integrating Behavioral HIV Interventions into Biomedical Prevention Trials with Youth: Lessons from Chicago's Project...

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• HIV Prevention
• Behavioral Science

Background:

• Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is effective for HIV prevention.
• The FDA has approved Truvada for supplemental PrEP indication.
• There is a need for implementation strategies combining behavioral and biomedical prevention.

Purpose of the Study:

• To modify and integrate an evidence-based group-level intervention into a PrEP pilot trial.
• To assess the acceptability of combined behavioral and biomedical interventions among young men who have sex with men (YMSM).

Main Methods:

• An evidence-based group-level intervention was modified and integrated into a small PrEP pilot trial.
• The study involved young men who have sex with men (YMSM).
• Risk reduction counseling sessions were provided.

Main Results:

• The integrated behavioral intervention was found to be highly acceptable.
• Ongoing risk reduction counseling was also highly acceptable.
• The pilot trial involved a racially diverse sample of YMSM.

Conclusions:

• Combining behavioral interventions with PrEP is a feasible strategy for HIV prevention.
• The integrated approach demonstrated high acceptability among YMSM.
• Further investigation into implementation strategies for combined prevention is warranted.