Frequently Asked Questions:
1) How can you contact the HPTN 094 team?
You can contact us using any of the links below.
2) Why is this study being done?
The United States is currently experiencing multiple major public health and social epidemics: Covid-19, homelesness, social, racial and economic inequality. These epidemics are intertwined and are drivers of unprecedent drug use in many communities across the country. For the last 20 years, drug overdoses have increased yearly to over 80,000 in 2019, and new cases of HIV and hepatitis C are increasing. Innovative strategies are needed to curve the epidemics of drug use, overdose and new infections. HPTN 094 is testing one of these innovative strategies. It will answer if providing integrated health services and peer navigation from a mobile clinic improve heath outcomes in people who inject drugs.
3) What organizations are involved in HPTN 094?
In Los Angeles, the study is being led by UCLA’s Center for Behavioral and Addiction Medicine. The study is simultaneously being conducted in four other cities that include: Houston, Philadelphia, Washington D.C., and New York. The team at UCLA has built partnerships with community medical, substance use, social services providers, local public health agencies, and advocacy groups in L.A. county.
4) What locations will the mobile health bus travel to?
The study team has identified areas in L.A. county with a high burden of opioid use. Please contact us for current locations and times of operation. LINKS below.
6) How does COVID-19 affect HPTN 094?
People who use opioids are particularly at risk for acquiring Covid-19 and the complications of the disease. Hence, treatment for opioid use disorder is now as imperative as ever. The study team is adhering to strict protocols to prevent Covid-19 within study participants and staff.
7) What is the study design of HPTN 094?
HPTN 094 is a randomized controlled trial. People who enroll in the trial are randomly selected to receive their medical care from clinicians on the mobile unit, or to receive their medical care from community based “bricks and mortar” facilities. Everyone in the study gets a peer-navigator to help them achieve their health related goals.
It is important to remember that not everyone will qualify for the study and who is eligible is based on strict criteria. As well, wether someone receives care on the mobile unit or at community based clinics is strictly by chance. We do not have any say regarding who will receive care where.
8) What services are included in the mobile unit?
The first goal is treatment of opioid use disorder with a medication like buprenorphine. Other goals are the treatment or prevention of HIV, Hepatitis C and other sexually transmitted infections. Other services include basic primary and mental health care and harm reduction services.
9) What services are included for those who receive care at “bricks and mortar” facilities?
The same ones as the mobile unit. The only difference is that these health services will be provided in existing community-based clinics. Our team of peer navigators will help people who join the study get to these clinics.
10) How long will people be expected to participate in the study?
Participation is entirely voluntary. If someone chooses to participate, we expect people to be involved in the study for 1 year. But, anyone can leave the study at any time if that is what they choose.
11) Is there compensation for participating?
Yes. People will be compensated for their time and travel for any research related activities. This includes compensation for completing the initial two visits to determine if someone qualifies for the study, and then completing study visits at 6 at 12 months. As well, people will be compensated for checking-in once a month.
There is no compensation for medical care visits or with the navigators outside of the study visits.