Personalized prevention for couples

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1 SUMMARY / ABSTRACT 2 3 Between one to two-thirds of new HIV infections among MSM are attributable to sex with main partners (i.e., 4 male couples).1,2 48% of HIV-positive MSM in 5 US cities who were HIV tested in CDC's NHBS project were 5 unaware of their status,3 suggesting the potential for high levels of unknown sero-discordance among male 6 couples. Research has also illustrated the role that relationship dynamics (e.g., HIV-specific social support, 7 constructive communication, sexual agreements) have in shaping male couples' risk for HIV4-41; this has also 8 been shown longitudinally, strongly suggesting that promoting positive relationship dynamics is a significant 9 intervention point for reducing HIV transmission among male couples.42-44 There is also evidence at-risk male 10 couples can work together towards shared HIV prevention and care-related goals, including PrEP and U=U/TasP 11 that rely on adherence and resultant viral suppression, leading to increased health and reduced likelihood of 12 onward HIV transmission.45-55 Innovative and tailored solutions are needed to meet the HIV prevention and care 13 needs of at-risk male couples. Our solution is to leverage our strong findings from the preliminary work we 14 conducted in the US (R34 pilot RCT & mixed method acceptability project)59-62 to propose a highly novel, 5-year 15 project to revise and update an existing, eHealth couples-based HIV/STI prevention toolkit intervention that 16 showed promise for reducing couples' HIV risk. The intervention is theoretically grounded in Couples 17 Interdependence Theory for health behavior change.63,64 We will first apply the remaining stages of the ADAPT- 18 ITT model65 with elements of human-centered design66-69 to incorporate at-risk, sero-concordant negative and 19 sero-discordant male couples' prevention and relationship needs while also including the latest science in 20 HIV/STI prevention. We will then conduct a 16-month RCT with 300 at-risk male couples using a delayed, 21 educational control condition of 8 months. Our Specific Aims are to: 1) examine efficacy of the intervention on 22 couples' a) formation and adherence to a risk-reduction plan and agreement, b) relationship functioning, c) self- 23 reported and biomarker confirmed indicators of risk (sexual behavior and STI), and engagement in HIV 24 prevention (PrEP adherence) and care (ART adherence); 2) evaluate use of the intervention over time by using 25 three different data sources; 3) explore moderating and mediating effects on couples' outcomes a-c. Our proposal 26 has high Public Health significance given the HIV disparities and importance of attending to couples' unique 27 relationship and prevention needs. Our innovative, accessible, and tailored intervention will fill a gap in current 28 prevention services by offering couples a personalized program. We believe results from the fully powered RCT 29 will show efficacy toward improving sustained HIV prevention outcomes among at-risk male couples in the US. 30 The scientific premise and rigor will further allow us to understand the processes that couples work together 31 to manage HIV/STIs in their relationships. Our next steps may include conducting a Type 1 Hybrid Trial to assess 32 for effectiveness and explore best practices for future implementation.70