NCT05753683 · RTI International
Gathering Online for Dialogue and Discussion to Enhance Social Support
(GODDESS)
What this study is about
The goal of this trial is to test a modified mobile health intervention (with a group component) relative to a mobile health intervention in a two-treatment group$1 randomly assigned trial with up to 500 young women who are human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-negative and who misuse alcohol.
View original scientific description
The goal of this trial is to test a modified mobile health intervention (with a group component) relative to a mobile health intervention in a two-arm randomized trial with up to 500 young women who are human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-negative and who misuse alcohol. The expected outcomes are to: (1) determine the efficacy of the virtual group component in reducing alcohol use and sexual risk and increasing pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) utilization; and (2) understand selected outcomes for implementation. Participants will be randomized to receive either the mHealth app or the mHealth app plus the group component, and followed up at 3- and 6-months post-enrollment.
Interventions
BEHAVIORAL
mHealth-Women's CoOp
The mHealth-Women's CoOp, was developed and tested in a previous randomized trial, is a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) risk-reduction intervention that addresses the intersection of substance use, sexual risk and violence through education, skills-building, and role-play and rehearsal via a mobile app. The mHealth-Women's CoOp app is also used to help participants monitor progress toward their goals throughout the study period. Specifically, the app is programmed to prompt the user, to visit the app and participate in several activities, including health and behavior check-in and revisiting aspects of the mHealth-Women's CoOp educational content to sustain risk reduction.
BEHAVIORAL
Virtual Group
The enhanced online group component will be available to be accessed using the mHealth-Women's CoOp platform for participants in the enhanced arm. The purpose of this component is to allow for young women who use alcohol to interact with young women like them and also discuss issues related to substance use and sexual risk-taking via a guided conversation to allow for motivational and informational support. The virtual group component will include online live discussions moderated and monitored by a trained online facilitator.
Primary outcome measures
Alcohol (Biological)
Time frame: Baseline
Recent alcohol (last 10 days) use will be measured by the presence of ethyl glucuronide (EtG), a breakdown product of ethanol, using an ethyl glucuronide (EtG) urine test. The One Step Ethyl Glucuronide (EtG) Test Dip Card is a lateral flow chromatographic immunoassay. Each test has a control line region to serve as a procedural control and a test line region; results with only a line in the control region and without a line in the test region are classified as positive. Urine EtG ≥300 ng/mL indicates a positive result.
Alcohol (Biological)
Time frame: 3-month
Recent alcohol (last 10 days) use will be measured by the presence of ethyl glucuronide (EtG), a breakdown product of ethanol, using an ethyl glucuronide (EtG) urine test. The One Step Ethyl Glucuronide (EtG) Test Dip Card is a lateral flow chromatographic immunoassay. Each test has a control line region to serve as a procedural control and a test line region; results with only a line in the control region and without a line in the test region are classified as positive. Urine EtG ≥300 ng/mL indicates a positive result.
Alcohol (Biological)
Time frame: 6-month
Recent alcohol (last 10 days) use will be measured by the presence of ethyl glucuronide (EtG), a breakdown product of ethanol, using an ethyl glucuronide (EtG) urine test. The One Step Ethyl Glucuronide (EtG) Test Dip Card is a lateral flow chromatographic immunoassay. Each test has a control line region to serve as a procedural control and a test line region; results with only a line in the control region and without a line in the test region are classified as positive. Urine EtG ≥300 ng/mL indicates a positive result.
Alcohol (Biological)
Time frame: Baseline
Phosphatidylethanol (PEth) in dried blood spots (DBS) with concentration equal to or greater than 8 ng/mL is an indication of alcohol exposure in the last 2-4 weeks (approximately). Higher concentrations of PEth indicates higher recent alcohol consumption.
Alcohol (Biological)
Time frame: 3-month
Phosphatidylethanol (PEth) in dried blood spots (DBS) with concentration equal to or greater than 8 ng/mL is an indication of alcohol exposure in the last 2-4 weeks (approximately). Higher concentrations of PEth indicates higher recent alcohol consumption.
Alcohol (Biological)
Time frame: 6-month
Phosphatidylethanol (PEth) in dried blood spots (DBS) with concentration equal to or greater than 8 ng/mL is an indication of alcohol exposure in the last 2-4 weeks (approximately). Higher concentrations of PEth indicates higher recent alcohol consumption.
Alcohol (Self-Reported)
Time frame: Baseline
Revised Risk Behavior Assessment (RRBA): Volume (grams of ethanol, accounting for different standard drink size), frequency of use, frequency of binge, heavy episodic drinking (4+ drinks/day).
Alcohol (Self-Reported)
Time frame: 3-month
Revised Risk Behavior Assessment (RRBA): Volume (grams of ethanol, accounting for different standard drink size), frequency of use, frequency of binge, heavy episodic drinking (4+ drinks/day).
Alcohol (Self-Reported)
Time frame: 6-month
Revised Risk Behavior Assessment (RRBA): Volume (grams of ethanol, accounting for different standard drink size), frequency of use, frequency of binge, heavy episodic drinking (4+ drinks/day).
Alcohol (Self-Reported)
Time frame: Baseline
World Health Organization's Alcohol, Smoking \& Substance Use Involvement Scale (ASSIST) assesses risk for alcohol consumption problems via 8 items. Scores range from 0 to 39, and this score indicates level of risk for alcohol consumption problems. Scores from 0 to 10 indicate lower risk for alcohol problems, scores from 11 to 26 indicate moderate risk, and scores from 27 to 39 indicate high risk.
Alcohol (Self-Reported)
Time frame: 3-month
World Health Organization's Alcohol, Smoking \& Substance Use Involvement Scale (ASSIST) assesses risk for alcohol consumption problems via 8 items. Scores range from 0 to 39, and this score indicates level of risk for alcohol consumption problems. Scores from 0 to 10 indicate lower risk for alcohol problems, scores from 11 to 26 indicate moderate risk, and scores from 27 to 39 indicate high risk.
Alcohol (Self-Reported)
Time frame: 6-month
World Health Organization's Alcohol, Smoking \& Substance Use Involvement Scale (ASSIST) assesses risk for alcohol consumption problems via 8 items. Scores range from 0 to 39, and this score indicates level of risk for alcohol consumption problems. Scores from 0 to 10 indicate lower risk for alcohol problems, scores from 11 to 26 indicate moderate risk, and scores from 27 to 39 indicate high risk.
Sexual Risk: HIV (Biological)
Time frame: Baseline
Number of participants living with HIV as assessed by OraQuick® ADVANCE Rapid HIV-1/2 Antibody Test with oral fluid, with an approximate 99.3% sensitivity \& 99.8% specificity, which detects antibodies to HIV-1 and HIV-2.
Sexual Risk: HIV (Biological)
Time frame: 6-month
Number of participants living with HIV as assessed by OraQuick® ADVANCE Rapid HIV-1/2 Antibody Test with oral fluid, with an approximate 99.3% sensitivity \& 99.8% specificity, which detects antibodies to HIV-1 and HIV-2.
Sexual Risk (Self-reported)
Time frame: Baseline
Revised Risk Behavior Assessment (RRBA): Condomless vaginal or anal sex, impaired sex (AOD use prior to or during sex), casual partners, sex trading, \& concurrent partners (≥2 partners), other contraceptive use, \& perception of risk, HIV, recent STIs
Sexual Risk (Self-reported)
Time frame: 3-month
Revised Risk Behavior Assessment (RRBA): Condomless vaginal or anal sex, impaired sex (AOD use prior to or during sex), casual partners, sex trading, \& concurrent partners (≥2 partners), other contraceptive use, \& perception of risk, HIV, recent STIs
Sexual Risk (Self-reported)
Time frame: 6-month
Revised Risk Behavior Assessment (RRBA): Condomless vaginal or anal sex, impaired sex (AOD use prior to or during sex), casual partners, sex trading, \& concurrent partners (≥2 partners), other contraceptive use, \& perception of risk, HIV, recent STIs
PrEP Utilization (Biological)
Time frame: 3-month
Dried blood spot (DBS) samples will be analyzed by quantification of drug concentrations by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) technology using assays validated at the study laboratory.
PrEP Utilization (Biological)
Time frame: 6-month
Dried blood spot (DBS) samples will be analyzed by quantification of drug concentrations by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) technology using assays validated at the study laboratory.
PrEP Utilization (Self-Reported)
Time frame: Baseline
Revised Risk Behavior Assessment (RRBA): Self-reported past 30-day use, missed doses, and patterns of use
PrEP Utilization (Self-Reported)
Time frame: 3-month
Revised Risk Behavior Assessment (RRBA): Self-reported past 30-day use, missed doses, and patterns of use
PrEP Utilization (Self-Reported)
Time frame: 6-month
Revised Risk Behavior Assessment (RRBA): Self-reported past 30-day use, missed doses, and patterns of use
Who can participate
This study lists these criteria on ClinicalTrials.gov. A study coordinator reviews eligibility during screening — this page does not determine whether you qualify.
Inclusion criteria
- identify as Black/African American
- identify as female
- be between 18 and 30 years old
- recent substance use
- HIV negative and not currently on PrEP
- have an Android or iOS-based smartphone Selected
Exclusion criteria
- test positive for HIV
- participated in the previous study activities of the current study or previous related studies
Where
- Durham, North Carolina
Collaborators
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)
Related conditions & keywords
Frequently asked questions
What is a clinical trial?
A clinical trial is a research study that tests new medical treatments, drugs, devices, or procedures to determine their safety and effectiveness. Trials are carefully designed and monitored to protect participants while advancing medical knowledge.
Is it safe to participate?
Clinical trials follow strict safety guidelines and ethical standards. Trials must be reviewed and approved, and participants are closely monitored by medical professionals throughout the study. You can withdraw at any time if you choose.
Will I be compensated?
Many clinical trials offer compensation for your time, travel expenses, and inconvenience. The specific compensation varies by study and will be discussed during the screening process. All study-related medical care is typically provided at no cost to participants.
Will I receive a placebo instead of treatment?
When effective treatment exists, participants typically receive either the standard treatment plus the study intervention, or the standard treatment plus placebo. You would not be denied effective care. Placebos are primarily used when no proven treatment is available, or in addition to standard care. Your trial consent form will clearly explain what treatments you may receive.
Can I leave a trial if I change my mind?
Absolutely. Participation in clinical trials is completely voluntary. You have the right to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without penalty or loss of benefits to which you are otherwise entitled.
How long does a clinical trial last?
Trial duration varies widely depending on the study design and purpose. Some trials last just a few weeks, while others may continue for months or years. The study coordinator will provide specific timeline information during your screening call.
Data: ClinicalTrials.gov · synced May 19, 2026 · Source of record for eligibility and locations