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Preventing HIV Among Native Americans Through the Treatment of PTSD & Substance Use

PROJECT COUNTRY PROJECT LEADERSHIP
US (WWAMI) Debra Kaysen, PhD, ABPP
Cynthia Pearson, PhD
Michele Bedard-Gilligan, PhD
Denise Walker, PhD

Description

This is a 5-year two-arm randomized comparative effectiveness trial evaluating prevention of HIV/STI sexual risk behavior through addressing complex comorbidities between PTSD, substance use, and HIV/STI sexual risk behavior among among rural Native American men and women.
Built on an 8-year community-based participatory partnership, in full collaboration with the Tribal Nation, this study is a 5-year two-arm randomized comparative effectiveness trial to evaluate prevention of HIV/STI sexual risk behavior by directly addressing PTSD or substance use. We will evaluate Narrative Exposure Therapy (NET) versus Motivational Interviewing with Skills Training (MIST) in HIV/STI prevention. AI elder and community leaders have insisted that “we can keep providing substance use or sexual risk programs but until we get to the underlying cause – trauma – then we’ll keep replacing one means of avoidance for another.” This study will help address this community-generated clinical and empirical question. The overall goal is to compare two evidence-based treatments, each addressing a different HIV sexual-risk behavior (HSB) causal pathway. NET addresses PTSD preventing substance use disorder (SUD) and HSB. MIST addresses substance misuse preventing SUD and HSB.

Project dates

2016-2021