# iTransition: Developing and Pilot Testing a Multilevel Technology-Based Intervention to Support Youth Living with HIV from Adolescent to Adult Care

> **NIH NIH R34** · EMORY UNIVERSITY · 2023 · $171,114

## Abstract

ABSTRACT
Youth between the ages 13 and 24 are disproportionately represented in the United States HIV epidemic; in
2015, 22% of HIV infections occurred within this age group. Youth living with HIV (YLH) face significant
barriers to care engagement across all stages of the HIV Care Continuum. The transition from
pediatric/adolescent to adult-oriented care settings can be especially disruptive. Yet, there are no evidence-
based interventions shown to improve healthcare transition (HCT) clinical outcomes for YLH. We propose to
develop and pilot iTransition, a mobile website-based intervention for YLH and their providers to improve HCT
at the patient, provider, and clinic levels. To maximize the cultural and developmental congruence of the
intervention we will convene a Design Team that includes YLH and healthcare providers, who will inform the
development of the intervention content and delivery strategies. Using an iterative design and development
process, we will develop tailored content and activities that align with YLH-specific HCT needs. After
developing the intervention, we will employ established usability testing procedures to collect preliminary data
from our Design Team on the proposed intervention's design and acceptability. Providers on the Design Team
will also be trained as “Transition Champions, encouraging and facilitating uptake of the intervention in their
respective clinics. Recommended changes will be added to the intervention prior to launching an
implementation trial based at pediatric/adolescent and adult-oriented HIV clinical care sites in Atlanta and
Philadelphia. The trial will use a mixed-methods approach to assess intervention feasibility and acceptability for
YLH (N=50) and provider (N=20) participants. We will also compare clinical outcomes of YLH in the iTransition
intervention group (N=50) over the 12-month period around HCT, to outcomes of a historical comparison group
(N=50), in order to gather preliminary efficacy data to inform a subsequent application. Specific Aims include:
(1) To develop iTransition, an mHealth intervention designed to improve care engagement throughout HCT by
targeting YLH, pediatric/adolescent providers’ and adult providers’ needs; and (2) To conduct a pilot trial of
iTransition with 50 YLH and 20 providers, in order to collect data on feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary
efficacy for improving HCT. Future directions include a fully powered RCT to test the efficacy of iTransition for
improving post-HCT care continuum outcomes for YLH.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10656743
- **Project number:** 3R34MH116805-03S1
- **Recipient organization:** EMORY UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Sophia A. Hussen
- **Activity code:** R34 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2023
- **Award amount:** $171,114
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2022-07-01 → 2023-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10656743

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10656743, iTransition: Developing and Pilot Testing a Multilevel Technology-Based Intervention to Support Youth Living with HIV from Adolescent to Adult Care (3R34MH116805-03S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10656743. Licensed CC0.

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