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California MEPS Hub: HIV Prevention for Men After Incarceration

This study is testing the Mobile Enhanced Prevention Support (MEPS) program to help men who have recently left incarceration prevent HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). The MEPS program includes 14 sessions with a peer mentor over six months, up to $600 in cash incentives for using medical and other services, and a smartphone app to track goals and appointments. We want to see if MEPS helps participants start and stay on PrEP (Pre-exposure Prophylaxis), a medication that prevents HIV. To join, you must be a man aged 18-59, have been released from incarceration in the last 12 months, and have a history of substance use disorder. The study is currently unclear on its recruitment status, but plans to enroll 318 participants.

Study design
This is an interventional study, meaning participants will receive a specific intervention. The first 200 enrolled individuals will be randomly assigned to either receive the MEPS intervention or a control group.
What's involved
If you participate, you would have 14 sessions with a peer mentor over six months. You would also use a smartphone app to track your goals and appointments.
Compensation
You could receive up to $600 in cash incentives for accessing medical and non-medical services while working with the peer mentor.
Follow-up
Researchers will check on your PrEP use and adherence at 6 and 12 months after starting the study.

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NCT07433985

California MEPS Hub

Recruiting
NAAges 18–59InterventionalPrevention
University of California, Los Angeles
~318 participants
Updated 2026-04-03 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:Mobile Enhanced Prevention Support (MEPS)Control

At a glance

Recruiting sites
3 of 3 listed sites are recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Initiate PrEP regimen
Measured over 6 and 12 months
+6 more outcomes measured

Conditions

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

Explore related trials

Hepatitis C InfectionHIV InfectionSexually Transmitted DisorderSubstance use disorder

Where it's being run

3 sites across 1 states
California3

Who to contact

Study Director
[email protected]
424-501-4829
Email the study team

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Do you actually qualify for this trial?

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

Assigned male at birth
Ages 18 - 59
Was released from incarceration in the previous 12 months (incarceration is defined as a stay in jail, prison, or detention centers for over 24 hours)
Reports an SUD diagnosis or seeking SUD services at any time in the 24 months prior to enrollment
During the 24 months prior to enrollment, either:
Has not received an HIV diagnosis (based on self-report)
Possesses a smartphone or plans to obtain one
Plans to reside within designated jurisdictions (counties) for the 9 months following enrollment
\>=18 years of age
Employed at a study site or otherwise involved with intervention implementation and/or maintenance OR works at an agency in the counties where the study is taking place (Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino, and Alameda counties, California).
Willing to provide informed consent for participation.

Exclusion

Does not have a smart phone and is not willing to obtain one
Is not able to speak and understand English
Has insufficient reading skills to operate a mobile application on a cell phone

What this trial measures

  • Initiate PrEP regimen6 and 12 months

    Defined as the participant obtaining a prescription for PrEP and self-reporting taking the medication

  • Demonstrate adherence to PrEP6 and 12 months

    Defined as the participant self-reporting taking prescribed PrEP in the previous 3 days. Assessed with a urine test kit that detects the presence of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate.

  • Remain on PrEP for at least 3 months6 and 12 months

    Defined by self-reported PrEP use for 3 or more months

  • Report an HIV test within 6 months of a follow-up interview6 and 12 months

    Defined as the participant self-reporting having obtained HIV testing within 3 months of the follow-up

  • Report a test for HCV6 and 12 months

    Defined as the participant self-reporting having obtained HIV testing within 3 months of the follow-up

  • Engage in substance use treatment in the community6 and 12 months

    Defined by the participant self-reporting remaining engaged in treatment (i.e., continuing to attend meetings, counseling or other treatment activities) in the 3 months prior to follow-up interviews.

  • Reduce substance use6 and 12 months

    Defined as a reduction in problematic use based Texas Christian University (TCU) Drug Screen 5 for any substance identified at as a problem based on their baseline TCU 5 score