Testing Two Behavioral Interventions to Help HIV People Who Inject Drugs Achieve and Keep Viral Suppression on the U.S.-Mexico Border

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating two behavioral intervention components to find the best combination to help people who inject drugs achieve and maintain HIV viral load suppression. This study uses a 2x2 factorial design that tests whether receiving peer support for medication-assisted treatment MAT andor behavioral activation therapy BAT for depression helps participants. The goal is to understand which combination most effectively supports sustained viral suppression among HIV-positive individuals who inject drugs. Participants are randomly assigned to one of four groups, representing all possible combinations of the two components peer support only, BAT only, both, or neither. All participants receive patient navigation to support care engagement. The peer support involves informational sessions and ongoing support to promote MAT uptake and persistence over six months. The BAT intervention includes eight weekly sessions focusing on goal setting, engaging in positive activities, and managing barriers to those activities. Participants complete surveys at baseline and follow-up visits at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months to assess outcomes such as viral suppression, drug use, depression symptoms, and adherence to HIV treatment. Viral load is measured at 6, 9, and 12 months to determine sustained suppression. Researchers also track methadone uptake, withdrawal severity, HIV care retention, and engagement barriers. The study includes ongoing monitoring and assessments to understand the effects of the interventions over a year.

Optimizing a Bio-behavioral Intervention for Sustained Viral Suppression