Community Health Workers And MHealth to Improve Viral Suppression (CHAMPS)

About the Study

The purpose of this research study is to assess the effectiveness of an existing community health workers’ (CHW) intervention using a mobile health (mHealth) approach and determine if it helps people living with HIV (PLWH) improve their quality of life.

The procedures in this study are to complete a survey and a blood draw every six months. Some participants will receive a pill bottle dispenser, access to a mobile application (app), and participate in sessions with a community health worker (CHW).

Participants will receive up to $150 after finishing the 12-month study. They will be given $40 at the baseline visit for completing the survey and blood draw, $50 at the 6-month visit for completing the survey and blood draw, and $60 at the 12month visit for completing the survey and blood draw..

For Participants 

• The "CHAMPS Study" is a 12-month study looking at how a phone app, a pill dispenser and a series of study sessions with a community health worker can help people living with HIV monitor and improve their overall quality of life. The study intends to enroll 300 participants in New York City, NY and Birmingham, AL.
• The study involves 3 site visits to a clinic in Washington Heights (NYC) or Birmingham AIDS Outreach/1917 Clinic (Birmingham), which will include taking a blood sample and completing a survey on an iPad (for all 3 visits). Some participants will be asked to complete ten study sessions facilitated by a community health worker. Ideally, two of these ten study sessions will be done in person and the rest can be done online. These study sessions will take place over the course of 6 months, in between the 1st and 2nd site visits.
• At the end of the 1st visit, some participants will be asked to use a daily pill dispenser for their HIV medication and to use a health app in their phone.
• The study has closed enrollment and is no longer recruiting participants.

For Researchers 

• The purpose of this research study is to assess the effectiveness of an existing community health workers’ (CHW) intervention through the use of a mobile health (mHealth) approach and determine if it helps people living with HIV (PLWH) improve their quality of life.
• Study duration: 1 year.