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Completed

NCT Number: NCT05664802

e-HERO: Ending the HIV Epidemic in Rural Oklahoma

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.

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Key information

Conditions

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome Behavior Blood-Borne Infections Coitus Communicable Diseases Genital Diseases HIV Infections Immune System Diseases Immunologic Deficiency Syndromes Infections Lentivirus Infections RNA Virus Infections Retroviridae Infections Sexual Behavior Sexually Transmitted Diseases Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Viral Slow Virus Diseases Urogenital Diseases Virus Diseases

Age range

17 year–29 year

Sex eligibility

Male

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Northern Arizona University

Flagstaff, Arizona, 86011-4065, United States

About this study

In the U.S., incidence rates of HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are disproportionately high among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men-referred to herein as sexual minority men (SMM)-compared to men who have sex with women only. Similarly, rates of HIV infection have increased among American Indian (AI) men. This is a two-group, active-control RCT of the online e-HERO intervention. Participants (100 SMM; 100 AI men) will be randomized into two groups in equal proportions. This study evaluates two versions of an online sexual health intervention. The e-HERO intervention includes 10 modules, totaling approximately 2.5 hours of content. Across these modules, e-HERO uses diverse delivery methods (e.g., videos, interactive games) 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. The control condition contains the same number of modules as e-HERO. The control condition contains the same number of modules as e-HERO. The control arm reflects HIV and STI information that is currently available on many websites, with the aim to understand how the cultural tailoring of e-HERO modules improves upon information that is readily available online.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • 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

Exclusion criteria

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

Treatment and study plan

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.

Primary outcomes

  1. HIV Testing Uptake

    Time frame: Assessed at the end of month 3 of the intervention.

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

Secondary outcomes

  1. HIV Testing Intention

    Time frame: Baseline, 1 month, and 3 months

    The outcome scale name is called "Intentions to get tested for HIV", measuring the construct of intention to get tested for HIV in the next 3 months, by asking the 1-item question: "How likely are you to get tested for HIV in the next three months?" The outcome is assessed on a 6-point Likert-type scale.The score range was 1-6, from 1= Extremely unlikely to get tested for HIV to 6=Extremely likely to get tested for HIV. A higher score indicated greater intentions to get tested, which is considered a preferred outcome. There were no subscales.

  2. STI Testing Intention

    Time frame: Baseline, 1 month, and 3 months

    The outcome scale name is called "Intentions to get tested for a Sexually Transmitted Infection", measuring the construct of intentions to get a test for an STI in the next 3 months. The outcome was a 1-item question: "How likely are you to get tested for other STIs besides HIV in the next three months?" The answers were assessed on a 6-point Likert-type scale, with a score ranging from 1-6 (1= Extremely unlikely to get tested for an STI to 6=Extremely likely to get tested for an STI). A higher score indicated greater intentions to get tested, which is considered a preferred outcome. There were no subscales.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Northern Arizona University

Other

Collaborators

  • National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD)
  • Oklahoma State University
  • Purdue University

Registry information

Acronym: e-HERO

Important dates

Study start
2022
Primary completion
2024
Study completion
2024
First posted
Dec 27, 2022
Registry last updated
Jul 27, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

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This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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