Intervention to Improve Engagement in Care Among Newly Diagnosed HIV-positive Men

Objectives:

The investigators will conduct a randomized controlled trial to test the efficacy of Promoting Action Towards Health (PATH), a brief health-enhancement and risk reduction intervention targeting newly HIV diagnosed men who have sex with men (MSM).

Specific Aims:

The investigators will establish the efficacy of PATH. The following hypotheses will be tested: Participants in the experimental condition will (1) achieve significantly greater suppression of HIV viral load; (2) demonstrate greater uptake of care and adherence to treatment; and (3) engage in less sexual HIV transmission risk behavior across the study duration than participants in the comparison condition.

Procedures:

440 newly HIV diagnosed (within 12 months) men will be randomly assigned to either: (1) the PATH experimental condition, or (2) the PCC comparison condition and followed for one year. HIV counselors will be trained to deliver the interventions within each condition. Assessments will be conducted at baseline, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months.

Significance:

Given increases in HIV incidence among MSM, advances in HIV treatment, and the demonstrated efficacy of early treatment in preventing HIV transmission, there is a critical need for effective interventions that can increase engagement and retention of MSM in care and reduce sexual HIV transmission risk behavior. PATH can be seamlessly integrated into medical care and translated into a sustainable model of care for newly diagnosed MSM to meet the urgent need for care programs that identify, treat, and prevent HIV infections.

Inclusion criteria

• receiving an HIV diagnosis within the previous 12 months
• entry into HIV primary care
• residence in the greater New York metropolitan area
• aged 18 or older
• provision of written informed consent

Exclusion criteria

-demonstrating cognitive impairment, acute psychosis, or suicidal intent or plans