California MEPS Hub

Conditions

• HIV Prevention
• Hepatitis C Virus (HCV)
• Incarceration
• Preexposure Prophylaxis (PrEP)
• Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI)
• Substance Use Disorder (SUD)

Eligibility Criteria

Sex

MALE

Age

18 Years - 59 Years

Healthy Volunteers

Accepted

Interventions

• Mobile Enhanced Prevention Support (MEPS) — BEHAVIORAL
  The 6 month MEPS intervention consists of 14 sessions with a peer mentor over a period of 6 months; up to $600 cash incentives for accessing medical and non-medical services while working the the peer mentor; and a smartphone app to keep track of goals, incentive earnings and provider appointments, a provider search feature, and fill out surveys based on participant experiences with services.
• Control — OTHER
  Client-centered goal planning session plus usual care

Study Details

The California Hub for HIV/SUD Prevention Research with Reentry Populations addresses the question: "Can the evidence-based MEPS intervention be adapted and implemented at a range of organizations to effectively serve a wider range of clients?" The Mobile Enhanced Prevention Support (MEPS) intervention was originally implemented in Los Angeles County and was proven successful in promoting biomedical HIV prevention (PrEP) uptake and preventative screenings in people who used drugs who recently left incarceration. MEPS is an evidence-based intervention for people with substance use disorders (SUD) that incorporates a client-centered planning session, including trained peer mentors, service utilization incentives, and a mobile application (GeoPass). The study includes a randomized controlled trial (RCT) across three community partners located in Riverside and Alameda Counties. At least 300 people will be enrolled in these three counties; the first 200 will be randomized to either receive the intervention or usual care, with the final 100 all receiving the intervention. The primary implementation outcome for the study involves using an implementation science framework and assessment tools to examine MEPS's implementation. Key outcomes include how well the implementation strategies used support intervention enrollment and retention, integration with existing services in each partnering community agency, and perceived intervention acceptability, feasibility, appropriateness, and maintenance at 6- and 12-months. The primary effectiveness outcome for the study is an increase in HIV testing, PrEP uptake and adherence, and SUD service utilization at 6 months and 12 months in the MEPS compared to the usual care group. Secondary effectiveness outcomes include frequency of service use for SUDs, hepatitis C virus testing, and linkage to care for those who test positive for HIV or hepatitis C.

Key Dates

Start date

Dec 1, 2025

Status verified

Mar 2026

Primary completion

Jul 31, 2029

Completion

Jul 31, 2029

Study Design

Enrollment

318 participants (estimated)

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Intervention model

PARALLEL

Primary purpose

PREVENTION

Arms

• Experimental: MEPS Arm
  Intervention arm participants receive a client-centered goal planning session following enrollment; 14 sessions with a peer mentor over a period of 6 months; cash incentives for accessing medical and non-medical services; and a smartphone app to keep track of goals, incentive earnings and provider appointments, a provider search feature, and fill-out surveys based on participant experiences with accessing services.
• Active Comparator: Control Arm
  Control arm participants receive a client-centered goal planning session (like the intervention arm), and usual care.

Primary Outcome Measure

Initiate PrEP regimen [ Time Frame: 6 and 12 months ]

Central Contacts

• Study Director
  424-501-4829
  [email protected]

Locations (3)

Find similar trials in Oakland, CA

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