UNITY is a feasibility study, a first step to find out if the services offered in the study create an environment for participants to continue living or to begin living healthier lives. This study is happening in six cities (San Francisco, New York, Washington DC, Atlanta, Boston, and Los Angeles) across the US.
If we find that UNITY is desirable and helpful, we may start a new and larger study to see if the study can reduce new infections among Black men in more cities across the country.
During the initial UNITY visit, you will be asked a lot of questions about your life and experiences. You will be invited to have an HIV test, and tests for other sexually transmitted infections. You may qualify to have two follow-up visits after the initial enrollment visit, or this may be your only visit. If you qualify for the follow-up visits, you will be eligible to be introduced to a peer health navigator. The visit takes some time, and snacks are available. Participants receive a $75 stipend for time and transportation.
This study is not testing any drugs or procedures that are not currently in use, and the study procedures are generally safe and well-tolerated.
Some of the study procedures, however, may feel uncomfortable, such as being checked for circumcision or STIs, including HIV. Study staff will work with you so you know what to expect at each visit, and address any concerns you might have.
We will do everything in our power to make sure that the personal information you share in this study is kept private. If information from this study is published or presented at scientific meetings, your name and other personal information will not be used.
At the first visit, you will receive $75 in cash. If you are eligible for the second and third visit you will receive $50 in cash to pay for your transportation costs and time. If study staff asks you to refer some of your sexual partners to the study, you will receive $10 in cash for each partner, up to five, who enrolls in the study. If you complete all three visits, and are asked to refer sexual partners and all five enroll, you may receive a total of $225.
If we find you have any STIs, we will either treat you or refer you to a clinic where you can be treated. If you test positive for HIV during the rapid test performed at your enrollment visit, then we will run confirmatory tests, which can take up to two weeks, to double check your status. If it is confirmed that you are HIV positive then we will link you into care.
We will never ask for names. We ask about friends and partners in order to better understand the social world of Black men. We may ask you to refer some of your sexual partners to this study; if so, we will offer you some tips on how to bring this up with them.
