HIV InfectionsPUSHNCT06501781
Peer Behavioral Activation Utilization to Improve Substance Use and HIV Outcomes in People Receiving Long Acting Injectable-PrEP/ART (PUSH)
A study testing Peer Activate-LAI in people with HIV Infections and Substance Use, run by University of Maryland, Baltimore at 2 sites in United States.
Trial summary
This randomized Type 1 hybrid effectiveness-implementation trial (N=186) will evaluate the effectiveness and implementation of a peer-delivered problem solving and behavioral activation intervention for adherence to LAI-PrEP/ART ("Peer Activate-LAI") compared to enhanced treatment as usual (ETAU) for a largely Black… Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 88 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- HIV Infections, Substance Use
- What is being tested?
- Peer Activate-LAI
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 186 participants
- Where
- 2 sitesUnited States
- Study dates
- 18 Mar 2025to Dec 2028
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 88 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Age 18 years or older
- Able and willing to sign informed consent
- HIV status:
- HIV negative with a negative HIV antibody/antigen test and meeting CDC(center for disease control and prevention) criteria for PrEP HIV positive with a positive antibody/antigen test
- Meeting indications for treatment based on Cabotegravir-LA (HIV negative) or Cabotegravir (CAB) and Rilpivirine (RPV)-LA (HIV positive) prescribing information
- Moderate substance use, defined as a (World Health Organization Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test) WHO-ASSIST score of ≥4 for certain drugs (cocaine, amphetamines, inhalants, sedatives, hallucinogens, or opioids) or ≥11 for alcohol
Who cannot join
- Contraindications to Cabotegravir-LA (HIV-) or Cabotegravir (CAB) and Rilpivirine (RPV)-LA (HIV+) use based on prescribing information or other medical/psychiatric conditions that may interfere with study participation
- Pregnant or breastfeeding
Trial locations and contacts
2 sites in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
United States2 sites, 2 recruiting
- Recruiting
Baltimore Safe Haven
Baltimore, Maryland, 21218
Onyinyechi Ogbumbadiugha, MPH, (443)-635-4943, oogbumbadiugha@ihv.umaryland.edu
Claire Tindula, NP, 443-897-3435, claire.tindula@ihv.umaryland.edu
- Recruiting
HIPS (Harm reduction drop-in center)
Washington D.C., District of Columbia, 20002
Phyllis Bijole Clinic Manager, 202.834.3289, phyllis@hips.org
Elana Rosenthal, MD
About this study
This randomized Type 1 hybrid effectiveness-implementation trial (N=186) will evaluate the effectiveness and implementation of a peer-delivered problem solving and behavioral activation intervention for adherence to LAI-PrEP/ART ("Peer Activate-LAI") compared to enhanced treatment as usual (ETAU) for a largely Black, substance-using population living with or at high risk for HIV. Specific aims are to:
Aim 1: Evaluate the effectiveness of Peer Activate-LAI over 12-months on: a) LAI-PrEP/ART adherence (primary; receipt of all 6 maintenance injections within 7-day window); and b) substance use (secondary; WHOASSIST, urine toxicology); and c) Explore the moderating role of SRD-related factors (exploratory)
Read more
Aim 2: To evaluate the implementation of Peer Activate-LAI including feasibility, acceptability, fidelity, and adoption guided by RE-AIM and Proctor's model,12,13 assessed using mixed methods, including a rapid ethnographic assessment of how SRD-related factors may affect implementation.
Aim 3: To evaluate the economic viability of Peer Activate-LAI, including a) cost of implementation and sustainment, and b) cost-effectiveness from multiple stakeholder perspectives.
This study will inform a potentially scalable, cost-effective model for facilitating effective adherence to LAI formulations of PrEP/ART within Black, substance-using populations with multiple minority identities who to date have had limited support for improving LAI adherence for HIV treatment and prevention.
Read the detailed description
Background. Substance use continues to be a major driver of HIV acquisition and has been associated with suboptimal ART adherence, treatment interruption, and inability to achieve or maintain viral suppression. Use of PrEP, a key tool for HIV prevention, is disproportionately lower in racial/ethnic minorities, as well as people who inject drugs. Factors related to structural racism and discrimination (SRD) may contribute to low rates of adherence in these populations. New long-acting injectable (LAI) formulations of PrEP/ART provide a potential biomedical intervention to overcome adherence challenges, however, due to the prolonged subtherapeutic period after LAI discontinuation, ensuring adherence is crucial.
A peer-delivered reinforcement-based intervention may be a promising solution for improving LAI adherence. Our team has developed through several rounds of stakeholder feedback a peer-delivered behavioral activation and problem-solving intervention, Peer Activate. Peer Activate focuses on problem-solving skills to improve adherence to ART and/or PrEP both at the individual level and social/structural barriers to care (i.e., transportation, housing) and includes behavioral activation to promote engagement in rewarding, substance-free activities in one's environment and structured daily activities to promote treatment adherence. Delivery by a peer with formal training and shared lived experiences enhances the impact of the intervention on SRD-related factors. However, Peer Activate has not been evaluated in the context of LAI PrEP/ART.
Preliminary Studies. This proposal builds upon our team's prior studies demonstrating 1) our ability to engage patients with and at risk for HIV, facing multiple barriers due to SRD, and provide LAI PrEP/ART in community-based settings; 2) the feasibility and acceptability of Peer Activate and promise in improving HIV treatment adherence for people who use substances.; and 3) promise for cost-effectiveness.
Approach. We propose a randomized Type 1 hybrid effectiveness-implementation trial (N=186) to test the effectiveness and implementation of Peer Activate for LAI PrEP/ART ("Peer Activate-LAI") vs. enhanced treatment as usual for a predominantly Black substance using population living with or at high risk for HIV, evaluating the following over 12 months:
- effectiveness: a) LAI PrEP/ART adherence (primary; receipt of all 6 maintenance injections within 7-day window); b) substance use (secondary; urine toxicology, self-report); c) SRD as moderators of effectiveness (exploratory);
- Implementation of Peer Activate-LAI including feasibility, acceptability, fidelity, and adoption guided by RE-AIM and Proctor's model,9,10 assessed using mixed methods, including a rapid ethnographic assessment of how SRD-related factors may affect implementation; and
- Economic viability of Peer Activate-LAI, including cost of implementation and sustainment and cost-effectiveness from multiple stakeholder perspectives. Implications.
This study will inform a potentially scalable, cost-effective model for facilitating effective adherence to LAI formulations of ART/PrEP within Black, substance using populations who to date have had limited support for improving LAI adherence for HIV ART/PrEP.
- Conditions
- HIV Infections, Substance Use
- Being tested
- Peer Activate-LAI, Standard of Care HIV treatment or prevention with LAI-PrEP/ART
- Medical subject headings
- HIV Infections, Substance-Related Disorders
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Peer Activate-LAIBehavioural
Peer Activate-LAI is a Peer Recovery Specialist-delivered behavioral activation and problem solving intervention, based on our team's formative work. The intervention focuses on problem-solving skills to improve adherence to ART and/or PrEP both at the individual level and environmental barriers to care (i.e., transportation, housing).
Standard of Care HIV treatment or prevention with LAI-PrEP/ARTOther
Standard of care HIV treatment or prevention with LAI-PrEP/ART
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Peer Activate-LAI | Experimental | Peer Activate-LAI, is a peer recovery specialist-delivered (PRS) behavioral activation (BA) and problem solving intervention aimed at improving adherence to LAI-PrEP/ART. BA was originally developed as an efficacious treatment for depression, with accumulating empirical support for SUD outcomes, including SUD treatment retention and HIV medication adherence, particularly when integrated with problem solving strategies. BA offers important advantages compared to other psychosocial interventions by being feasible and potentially sustainable for PRS delivery, appropriate for low-income individuals with OUD and other non-opioid SUD, and focused on building positive reinforcement in the current environment through engagement in adaptive, valued behaviors. Receives: Behavioral: Peer Activate-LAI; Other: Standard of Care HIV treatment or prevention with LAI-PrEP/ART |
| Enhanced Treatment As Usual | Active comparator | Participants in the Enhanced Treatment As Usual (ETAU) arm receive access to standard clinical care, including access to a clinician with expertise in HIV and PrEP, opportunity for co-located treatment of OUD, and STI testing and treatment, and general peer support. Enhanced treatment includes reminder phone calls and facilitated referrals to psychosocial, housing, financial benefits and legal services. Receives: Other: Standard of Care HIV treatment or prevention with LAI-PrEP/ART |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
LAI-PrEP/ART Complete Adherence
Defined as receiving all 6 LAI maintenance doses within the +/-7 day window.
Unit of Measure: Binary (Yes/No)
Measured: 12 months
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted15 Jul 2024
- Study start18 Mar 2025
- Primary completionDec 2028 (estimated)
- Study completionDec 2028 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for HIV InfectionsStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Other
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Model description
- A pilot study to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of a peer-delivered intervention for LAI-PrEP/ART adherence among predominately Black substance-using populations.
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 186 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- University of Maryland, Baltimore
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Elana Rosenthal, University of Maryland, Baltimore
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06501781
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- HP-00110311
- Acronym
- PUSH
- Status last verified
- Oct 2025
- First submitted
- 2 Jul 2024
- Last updated
- 31 Oct 2025
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- Yes
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 31 Oct 2025. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Peer Behavioral Activation Utilization to Improve Substance Use and HIV Outcomes in People Receiving Long Acting Injectable-PrEP/ART (PUSH)
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06501781
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- PUSH / HP-00110311
- Conditions
- HIV Infections, Substance Use
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Recruiting
- Enrolment
- 186 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- University of Maryland, BaltimoreUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 18 Mar 2025 (actual)
- Primary completion
- Dec 2028 (estimated)
- Study completion
- Dec 2028 (estimated)
- First posted
- 15 Jul 2024 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
This randomized Type 1 hybrid effectiveness-implementation trial (N=186) will evaluate the effectiveness and implementation of a peer-delivered problem solving and behavioral activation intervention for adherence to LAI-PrEP/ART ("Peer Activate-LAI") compared to enhanced treatment as usual (ETAU) for a largely Black, substance-using population living with or at high risk for HIV. Specific aims are to:
Aim 1: Evaluate the effectiveness of Peer Activate-LAI over 12-months on: a) LAI-PrEP/ART adherence (primary; receipt of all 6 maintenance injections within 7-day window); and b) substance use (secondary; WHOASSIST, urine toxicology); and c) Explore the moderating role of SRD-related factors (exploratory)
Aim 2: To evaluate the implementation of Peer Activate-LAI including feasibility, acceptability, fidelity, and adoption guided by RE-AIM and Proctor's model,12,13 assessed using mixed methods, including a rapid ethnographic assessment of how SRD-related factors may affect implementation.
Aim 3: To evaluate the economic viability of Peer Activate-LAI, including a) cost of implementation and sustainment, and b) cost-effectiveness from multiple stakeholder perspectives.
This study will inform a potentially scalable, cost-effective model for facilitating effective adherence to LAI formulations of PrEP/ART within Black, substance-using populations with multiple minority identities who to date have had limited support for improving LAI adherence for HIV treatment and prevention.
Detailed description
Background. Substance use continues to be a major driver of HIV acquisition and has been associated with suboptimal ART adherence, treatment interruption, and inability to achieve or maintain viral suppression. Use of PrEP, a key tool for HIV prevention, is disproportionately lower in racial/ethnic minorities, as well as people who inject drugs. Factors related to structural racism and discrimination (SRD) may contribute to low rates of adherence in these populations. New long-acting injectable (LAI) formulations of PrEP/ART provide a potential biomedical intervention to overcome adherence challenges, however, due to the prolonged subtherapeutic period after LAI discontinuation, ensuring adherence is crucial.
A peer-delivered reinforcement-based intervention may be a promising solution for improving LAI adherence. Our team has developed through several rounds of stakeholder feedback a peer-delivered behavioral activation and problem-solving intervention, Peer Activate. Peer Activate focuses on problem-solving skills to improve adherence to ART and/or PrEP both at the individual level and social/structural barriers to care (i.e., transportation, housing) and includes behavioral activation to promote engagement in rewarding, substance-free activities in one's environment and structured daily activities to promote treatment adherence. Delivery by a peer with formal training and shared lived experiences enhances the impact of the intervention on SRD-related factors. However, Peer Activate has not been evaluated in the context of LAI PrEP/ART.
Preliminary Studies. This proposal builds upon our team's prior studies demonstrating 1) our ability to engage patients with and at risk for HIV, facing multiple barriers due to SRD, and provide LAI PrEP/ART in community-based settings; 2) the feasibility and acceptability of Peer Activate and promise in improving HIV treatment adherence for people who use substances.; and 3) promise for cost-effectiveness.
Approach. We propose a randomized Type 1 hybrid effectiveness-implementation trial (N=186) to test the effectiveness and implementation of Peer Activate for LAI PrEP/ART ("Peer Activate-LAI") vs. enhanced treatment as usual for a predominantly Black substance using population living with or at high risk for HIV, evaluating the following over 12 months:
- effectiveness: a) LAI PrEP/ART adherence (primary; receipt of all 6 maintenance injections within 7-day window); b) substance use (secondary; urine toxicology, self-report); c) SRD as moderators of effectiveness (exploratory);
- Implementation of Peer Activate-LAI including feasibility, acceptability, fidelity, and adoption guided by RE-AIM and Proctor's model,9,10 assessed using mixed methods, including a rapid ethnographic assessment of how SRD-related factors may affect implementation; and
- Economic viability of Peer Activate-LAI, including cost of implementation and sustainment and cost-effectiveness from multiple stakeholder perspectives. Implications.
This study will inform a potentially scalable, cost-effective model for facilitating effective adherence to LAI formulations of ART/PrEP within Black, substance using populations who to date have had limited support for improving LAI adherence for HIV ART/PrEP.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Other
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 2
- Model description
- A pilot study to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of a peer-delivered intervention for LAI-PrEP/ART adherence among predominately Black substance-using populations.
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Peer Activate-LAI | Experimental | Behavioral: Peer Activate-LAI, Other: Standard of Care HIV treatment or prevention with LAI-PrEP/ARTPeer Activate-LAI, is a peer recovery specialist-delivered (PRS) behavioral activation (BA) and problem solving intervention aimed at improving adherence to LAI-PrEP/ART. BA was originally developed as an efficacious treatment for depression, with accumulating empirical support for SUD outcomes, including SUD treatment retention and HIV medication adherence, particularly when integrated with problem solving strategies. BA offers important advantages compared to other psychosocial interventions by being feasible and potentially sustainable for PRS delivery, appropriate for low-income individuals with OUD and other non-opioid SUD, and focused on building positive reinforcement in the current environment through engagement in adaptive, valued behaviors. |
| Enhanced Treatment As Usual | Active comparator | Other: Standard of Care HIV treatment or prevention with LAI-PrEP/ARTParticipants in the Enhanced Treatment As Usual (ETAU) arm receive access to standard clinical care, including access to a clinician with expertise in HIV and PrEP, opportunity for co-located treatment of OUD, and STI testing and treatment, and general peer support. Enhanced treatment includes reminder phone calls and facilitated referrals to psychosocial, housing, financial benefits and legal services. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 88 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (6 listed)
- Age 18 years or older
- Able and willing to sign informed consent
- HIV status:
- HIV negative with a negative HIV antibody/antigen test and meeting CDC(center for disease control and prevention) criteria for PrEP HIV positive with a positive antibody/antigen test
- Meeting indications for treatment based on Cabotegravir-LA (HIV negative) or Cabotegravir (CAB) and Rilpivirine (RPV)-LA (HIV positive) prescribing information
Key exclusion criteria (2 listed)
- Contraindications to Cabotegravir-LA (HIV-) or Cabotegravir (CAB) and Rilpivirine (RPV)-LA (HIV+) use based on prescribing information or other medical/psychiatric conditions that may interfere with study participation
- Pregnant or breastfeeding
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Peer Activate-LAIPeer Activate-LAI is a Peer Recovery Specialist-delivered behavioral activation and problem solving intervention, based on our team's formative work. The intervention focuses on problem-solving skills to improve adherence to ART and/or PrEP both at the individual level and environmental barriers to care (i.e., transportation, housing). | Behavioural | Peer Activate-LAI |
| Standard of Care HIV treatment or prevention with LAI-PrEP/ARTStandard of care HIV treatment or prevention with LAI-PrEP/ART | Other | Enhanced Treatment As Usual, Peer Activate-LAI |
Primary outcome
LAI-PrEP/ART Complete Adherence
Time frame: 12 months
Defined as receiving all 6 LAI maintenance doses within the +/-7 day window. Unit of Measure: Binary (Yes/No)
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 31 Oct 2025.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
2 sites in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Peer Activate-LAI in people with HIV Infections and Substance Use, run by University of Maryland, Baltimore at 2 sites in United States.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 6 inclusion and 2 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 31 Oct 2025. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 2 sites in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Elana Rosenthal, MD (240-367-4157, erosenthal@ihv.umaryland.edu), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
LAI-PrEP/ART Complete Adherence (time frame: 12 months). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 31 Oct 2025; AzTrials last refreshed its copy on 31 Oct 2026.