New from the Northeast Node
 Northeast Node awarded CTN-0083: Using Social Media to Deliver HIV Self-Testing Kits and Link to Online PrEP Services
The Northeast Node is excited to announce the award of CTN-0083: Using Social Media to Deliver HIV Self-Testing Kits and Link to Online PrEP Services, led by Dr. Jeffrey Klausner of UCLA in collaboration with Dr. Sean Young of UCLA, and Dr. Lisa Marsch of the Northeast Node.
Despite accounting for only 6% of the US population, men who have sex with men (MSM) account for 53% of all people living with HIV. The targeted promotion of HIV self-testing and simplified access to test kits and PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) medication is a promising approach to HIV prevention among this high-risk population.
Online services are increasingly becoming a platform for efficiently delivering public health campaigns and targeting those in need who may be missed by other conventional forms of prevention outreach (e.g. physicians).
In this study, MSM between 18-30 years old will receive culturally-relevant advertisements targeting minorities. Compared to all other age groups, regardless of sexual preferences, those under 30 are the age group that are the most likely to be active and engaged daily social media users.
The proposed study aims are to:
- Adapt existing social media-based HIV self-testing and PrEP advertising materials for digital distribution on social media and informational sites
- Compare the relative effectiveness of using popular social media sites like Facebook, Grindr, and Hornet versus commonly used information sites like Google (where individuals are searching for relevant informational content) to promote HIV home self-testing and PrEP uptake.
We will also determine how substance use modifies key outcomes such as HIV testing and PrEP uptake.
Two hundred MSM will be recruited to participate in this study via web-based enrollment, allowing for a geographically diverse study population. A study website and social media ads will be developed by collaborators from YTH.org, a health and technology-based design corporation.
This study has important public health implications. HIV infection results in substantial personal, societal, and financial costs at a global scale. This preventable public health issue can be addressed by harnessing the infrastructure of social media services and using those platforms to deliver cost-effective prevention interventions such as HIV testing and PrEP to large numbers of individuals.
The Northeast Node is greatly looking forward to collaborating with the team at UCLA, who has pioneered work in the field, and to participate in this novel utilization of social media to increase HIV testing and PrEP uptake. |
New from the Library
 Journal articles
Prevalence of behavioral health conditions across frequency of cannabis use among adult primary care patients in Washington State. Lapham GT, et al. Journal of General Internal Medicine 2018 (in press).
Asking about the frequency of cannabis use as part of routine behavioral health screening in primary care in a state with legalized use better identifies patients at increased risk for substance use and mental health conditions. [Read more here. . .]
Biological Correlates of Self-Reported New and Continued Abstinence in Cannabis Cessation Treatment Clinical Trials. Baker NL, et al. Drug and Alcohol Dependence 2018;178:270-277.
Using combinations of biological measurements (urinalysis, e.g.) and self-reported abstinence, confirmation of study-related abstinence may be verifiable earlier and with greater accuracy than relying on a single measurement. [Read more here. . .]
Protocol Information Pages
CTN-0081
Emergency Medicine Opioid Data Infrastructure: Key Venus to Address Opioid Morbidity and Mortality (Project CODE PRO - Capturing Opioid Use Disorder Electronically and Patient-Reported Outcomes). Lead Node: New England Consortium.
CTN-0082
Implementation Survey of PrEP and Opioid Use Related Services in STI Clinics and MSM-Centered Community Based Organizations (CBOs). Lead Nodes: Pacific Northwest and Greater New York.
CTN-0083
Using Social Media to Deliver HIV Self-Testing Kits and Link to Online PrEP Services. Lead Node: Northeast.
Webinars
Where is MAT Available in the U.S. and Is It Available Where Needed? A Geographic Review. July 30, 2018. Presented by Martin Y. Iguchi.
· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · ·
 New from the ATTC
ATTC Messenger: July 2018
Featured Article: Mountain Plains ATTC Serves Six States in Region 8 - Susan Mickelson, Mountain Plains ATTC
From the ATTC|NIATx Service Improvement Blog
|
Dr. Rao S. Rapaka, Chief of the Chemistry and Pharmacology Branch in the Division of Neuroscience and Behavior at the National Institute on Drug Abuse, will receive the first Hall of Fame award from the Conference on Chemistry and Pharmacology of Drug Abuse (SCPDA). He will receive this award for his outstanding and visionary contributions and service to the field of drug abuse research and medication discovery. The SCPDA Hall of Fame award was established in 2016 to recognize senior investigators with long-standing records of achievements who have made exceptional contributions to chemistry and pharmacology of drug abuse through research, teaching and/or service. Dr. Rapaka will receive this award at the 
Did you present about CTN-related research at this year’s 
The 
