Randomized Control Trial and Cohort Study of HIV Testing and Linkage to Care, Maryland and Rhode Island, 2011

This study is part of the Seek, Test, Treat and Retain (STTR) Collaboration Project that involved over twenty studies in the fields of HIV and drug abuse. All studies were independently developed, but were chosen for the collaboration because they focused on one or more steps of the HIV treatment cascade: Seek, Test, Treat and Retain. As part of STTR Collaboration Project, the studies were grouped into Criminal Justice-related studies and Vulnerable Population-related studies. The data collected by these studies included twelve common domains (e.g., Demographic characteristics, Mental Health) in each of which a shared questionnaire or instrument was taken up by the studies and adapted to fit the study.
This study has two components.
Study #1:
The main objectives of Study 1 were to determine the willingness to the community corrections community to undergo testing, and to test rapid HIV testing on-site in community corrections to referral to an off-site HIV testing location. Participants were probationers or parolees in both Providence, Rhode Island and Baltimore City, Maryland (participants split 50/50 between sites). The outcomes were undergoing HIV testing and receiving the test results.
Study #2:
Randomized controlled trial of linkage to HIV care among probationers or parolees known to have HIV who were randomized to referral to treatment as usual (TAU) or Project Bridge which provided intensive case management, medical and social support. (Note: participants could "cross over" into Project Bridge at 6 months if they failed to engage with care in the TAU group.) The outcomes included retention in care, use of ART, and viral load. Assessments were done at baseline for both studies, and every 3 months thereafter until 18 months for study 2. If incarcerated, assessments were done in prison/jail.