Evaluation of a Combined Motivational Interviewing and Ecological Momentary Intervention to Reduce Risky Alcohol Use Among Individuals Vulnerable to HIV/AIDS
Ecological momentary interventions (EMI), which use phones to deliver messages to reduce alcohol use and related risk behaviors during or prior to drinking events, can help to address triggers in real-time. GPS tracking can determine when individuals visit places they have previously reported drinking or triggers to drink and then EMI messages can be delivered upon arrival to prevent risky alcohol use. A mobile app has been developed that uses GPS tracking to determine when individuals visit risky places and then delivers a survey asking what behaviors they engaged in while at the location. The goal of the proposed study is to use this app to enhance the Tracking and Reducing Alcohol Consumption (TRAC) intervention by delivering messages that encourage participants to employ strategies discussed during TRAC sessions when arriving at risky places. When they leave these places, they will complete a survey and breathalyzer reading in order to collect event-level self-report and biological data on alcohol use and HIV risk. If their breathalyzer result indicates alcohol use, they will receive harm reduction messaging. It is expected that combining TRAC with EMI (TRAC-ER) will increase effectiveness by reinforcing topics discussed during these sessions, providing in-the-moment messaging to address triggers, and collecting real-time alcohol use data.
• is between the ages of 18-35 at the start of the study
• owns a smartphone
• has not been diagnosed with HIV
• screens positively for at-risk alcohol use (score of 4 or higher on the AUDIT-C, OR report engaging in binge drinking at least once over the past 12 months).
• meets criteria for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) OR is identified as being at high risk for HIV (i.e., reports history of using PrEP/PEP, reports unprotected sex, etc.)