RECRUITING

WORTH Paths Intervention

Study Overview

This clinical trial focuses on testing the efficacy of different digital interventions to promote re-engagement in cancer-related long-term follow-up care for adolescent and young adult (AYA) survivors of childhood cancer.

Description

Women in the criminal legal system are more likely to experience substance use disorders and unintended pregnancy than women in the general public. However, they often face barriers to accessing substance use treatment and sexual and reproductive health services. This study tests the feasibility and acceptability of Women on the Road to Health (WORTH) Promoting Access to Treatment, Health, and Support (Paths), a digital intervention adapted from the evidence-based CDC Best Practice HIV prevention intervention, Women on the Road to Health (WORTH), originally developed at Columbia University School of Social Work. WORTH Paths is designed to help reproductive-aged women in the criminal legal system with substance use disorders and unmet need for contraception reduce drug use and improve contraceptive use. Participants (N=50) will be randomly assigned to one of two groups: WORTH Paths Intervention Group - Participants will attend three virtual group sessions with facilitated videoconference sessions and self-paced digital activities focused on reducing drug use and increasing contraceptive use. They will also receive guidance on how to access and navigate health services. Control Group - Participants will receive a virtual general wellness program that includes education on substance use and sexual and reproductive health but does not include skills-based training related to these topics. The focus will be on general wellness and stress reduction. Both groups will receive resources for substance use treatment and sexual and reproductive health services. Researchers will track changes in drug use and contraceptive use over three months. Participants will complete surveys and provide urine samples to confirm changes in drug use. Primary aims: Feasibility: Measured by session attendance, treatment completion, dropouts, and reasons for termination. Acceptability: Measured by participant ease of use, helpfulness, and satisfaction. Primary behavioral outcomes: Self-reported drug use confirmed by urine drug tests. Contraceptive use, including initiation and consistent use. Secondary behavioral outcome: Linkage to substance use disorder treatment (measured by appointments made and sessions attended).

Official Title

Adaptation of a Digital Group-Based Intervention to Reduce Drug Use and Increase Contraceptive Use Among Reproductive-Aged Women Involved in Criminal Justice Systems

Quick Facts

Study Start:2025-08-12
Study Completion:2026-04-01
Study Type:Not specified
Phase:Not Applicable
Enrollment:Not specified
Status:RECRUITING

Study ID

NCT06889831

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Ages Eligible for Study:18 Years to 44 Years
Sexes Eligible for Study:FEMALE
Accepts Healthy Volunteers:No
Standard Ages:ADULT
Inclusion CriteriaExclusion Criteria
  1. * Female sex at birth
  2. * Aged 18-44 years
  3. * Past year criminal legal involvement (e.g., incarceration or community supervision)
  4. * Meets criteria for current substance use disorder (SUD) as defined by DSM-5 and assessed by the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI)
  5. * Meets criteria for unmet need for contraception (capable of pregnancy, sexually active, does not want to become pregnant within the next year, but is currently not using contraception)
  6. * Able to read, write, and speak English
  7. * Willing and able to provide informed consent
  1. * Currently pregnant or actively trying to conceive
  2. * Diagnosed infertility (e.g., menopause, tubal ligation, hysterectomy)
  3. * Unable to provide informed consent due to significant cognitive impairment, mental health condition, or substance intoxication
  4. * Unable or unwilling to meet study requirements (e.g., attend sessions, complete assessments)

Contacts and Locations

Study Contact

Melissa N Slavin, PhD
CONTACT
201-692-2301
m.slavin@fdu.edu
Annie J Rohan, PhD
CONTACT
201-692-2840
a.rohan@fdu.edu

Principal Investigator

Melissa N Slavin, PhD
PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
Fairleigh Dickinson University

Study Locations (Sites)

Fairleigh Dickinson University
Teaneck, New Jersey, 07666
United States

Collaborators and Investigators

Sponsor: Fairleigh Dickinson University

  • Melissa N Slavin, PhD, PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR, Fairleigh Dickinson University

Study Record Dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Registration Dates

Study Start Date2025-08-12
Study Completion Date2026-04-01

Study Record Updates

Study Start Date2025-08-12
Study Completion Date2026-04-01

Terms related to this study

Keywords Provided by Researchers

  • substance use disorder

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

  • Substance Use Disorder (SUD)
  • Sexual and Reproductive Health
  • Sexual Risk Behavior