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HIV Testing and Communication skills training to reduce HIV risk and Improve PREP uptake

Award Number: R01AI207135
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ALLERGY & INFECTIOUS DISEASES
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 09/18/2026
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 08/31/2031

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HIV Testing and Communication skills training to reduce HIV risk and Improve PREP uptake - Project Summary Young men who have sex with men (YMSM) under age 25 accounted for 25% of new HIV infections among MSM in the US overall. Within this group, estimates suggest as many as 79% of new HIV infections are transmitted between main or primary relationship partners. Dating and romantic relationships typically emerge during this time, and YMSM are learning how to navigate interpersonal relationships and negotiate safer sex practices. YMSM’s ability to accurately evaluate relationship characteristics like seriousness or commitment may be nascent, and they tend to forgo condom use as a way of demonstrating commitment in relationships they perceive as serious. Individual HIV testing is a critical component of the HIV prevention cascade. Unfortunately, counseling associated with individual HIV testing is increasingly brief and typically limited to education, where it occurs. It does not directly address relationship factors or provide the communication skills training that YMSM may need to negotiate risk reduction practices with their primary partners (e.g., sexual agreements, PrEP). Our team previously developed a protocol for individual HIV testing and counseling tailored for YMSM in relationships. It integrates video-based communication skills training and motivational interviewing–based communication goal setting and planning. We now propose a randomized controlled trial (RCT) comparing this novel intervention to HIV testing as usual. It is hypothesized that the experimental HIV testing intervention will be directly associated with significant reductions in sexual HIV transmission risk behavior (HIV TRB) and increases in PrEP uptake. Furthermore, pilot findings suggest the intervention may be associated with reductions in HIV TRB and increases in PrEP uptake indirectly through pathways involving improved communication skills as well as enhanced relationship power and communal coping to reduce HIV infection. The RCT enrolls 280 YMSM aged 17 to 24. Participants complete a baseline and then follow-up assessments 3, 6, 9, and 12 months post intervention. The study team is led by Drs. Cain and Starks, experts in the study of sexual health among MSM in relationships.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2026 ( Subtotal = $812,134 )
2026	2026	RESEARCH FOUNDATION OF THE CITY UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK	695 PARK AVE	NEW YORK	NY	10065	NEW YORK	USA	Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research	000	1	9/18/2026	NEW	$812,134
														Subtotal = $812,134

Grand Total All Awards = $812,134

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HIV Testing and Communication skills training to reduce HIV risk and Improve PREP uptake

Award Number: R01AI207135

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ALLERGY & INFECTIOUS DISEASES

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 09/18/2026

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 08/31/2031

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