Study Design & Aims

Study Aims:

Aim 1: Understand how alcohol use affects PrEP decision-making and adherence. We are using in-depth interviews to explore how alcohol impacts participants’ choices around PrEP use. We will follow participants over 12 months to evaluate how SBIRT affects their alcohol use and engagement in the PrEP Care Continuum.

Aim 2: Evaluate the effectiveness of SBIRT in reducing alcohol use and improving gut health. Through a randomized controlled trial, we are testing whether SBIRT reduces hazardous alcohol use and associated gut dysbiosis compared to treatment as usual. We are also examining how these changes relate to PrEP adherence over time.

Aim 3: Investigate biological impacts of alcohol use among PrEP users. We will assess how hazardous alcohol use influences the gut microbiome, systemic inflammation, intestinal health, and markers of liver disease among PrEP users—with and without intervention.