HIV/STI/HCV Testing and Overdose Prevention Among Survivors of Sex Trafficking

The investigators propose to develop and assess whether a digital survivor-crowdsourced (i.e., engaging individuals to address public health challenges and share solutions) intervention can increase testing for HIV, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and hepatitis C virus (HCV) and the utilization of life-saving overdose prevention practices and services among survivors of sex trafficking (ST) in New York City (NYC). ST survivors have higher risk substance use (e.g., injection drug use, fentanyl) than women who are not trafficked -- >84% have used substances, with ~33% experiencing forced substance use, and ~70% a drug overdose. ST survivors have higher HIV/STI prevalence rates (up to 70%) than even non-trafficked women in sex work. Nearly 50% of survivors have branding tattoos, increasing their risk for HCV. Despite their elevated rates of HIV/STIs/HCV and substance use disorder (SUD), there is a lack of public health messaging tailored specifically for ST survivors, and much of the existing messaging is denigrating toward this population. Survivors also face substantial barriers to care, including lack of information about care access and logistical constraints. In the absence of innovative interventions tailored for this population, health problems among ST survivors will persist.

The Study's Specific Aims are:

Aim 1: Develop crowdsourced digital messages to promote HIV/STI/HCV testing uptake and utilization of overdose prevention services for substance use among female ST survivors. To achieve this aim, in partnership with our Citizen Collaborative Research Board (CCRB), the investigators will use in-depth interviews and conduct a series of designathons, launched via a national crowdsourcing open call, in which survivors ideate, prototype and present multimedia content to promote HIV/STI/HCV testing uptake and utilization of overdose prevention services among peers.

Aim 2: In a randomized controlled trial, to compare the survivor-crowdsourced HIV and substance use intervention to existing public health messaging among ST survivors (n=368) in New York City.

Hypothesis: The crowdsourced intervention will increase HIV/STI/HCV testing uptake and utilization of overdose prevention services among survivors compared to control content. The primary outcome will be online HIV/STI/HCV tests completed and online ordering of overdose prevention kits. Secondary outcomes will be linkage to HIV/STI/HCV care, PrEP, and substance use disorder (SUD) services.

Aim 3: Assess the contribution of multi-level factors on reach, effectiveness, adoption, implementation, and maintenance (RE-AIM) outcomes. The investigators will use the PRISM framework and a mixed methods approach to assess RE-AIM outcomes via qualitative interviews, surveys, and HIV/STI/HCV testing and overdose prevention kit referral vouchers.

Hypothesis: HIV/STI/HCV testing and overdose prevention kit referral and uptake will be significantly greater among the crowdsourced intervention arm than among the control arm.

Inclusion criteria

• 18 years or older
• Born biologically female or identify as a woman
• Living in New York City
• Used illicit substances within the past 12 months or has a history of substance use dependency
• Would feel safe participating in the study
• Is a survivor of sex trafficking as defined by the following criteria: 1) Has the individual ever had sex for things of value? If 'Yes', then the individual must also answer 'Yes' to the following question, 2) Was the individual pressured or forced by another person to do this?

Exclusion criteria

• Not willing to provide consent or not able to understand study procedures