Welcome to the PrEP Hair Test Study

Kaiser Permanente Southern California is looking for volunteers who are currently taking PrEP for HIV prevention to participate in a research study led by the Department of Research & Evaluation.

Long-term heavy alcohol use and substance use may affect how people can adhere to daily PrEP and the effectiveness of PrEP for HIV prevention. The study will perform biomarker hair analyses to assess the relationship between alcohol and substance use with PrEP use over time.

 

Interested in participating or have more questions?

Email us GoPrEP@kp.org

or leave us a message at
1-833-242-8497
(toll free)

Study details

  • Trained study staff will cut about 100 to 200 strands of hair (about as big around as a pen) near the scalp from the back of your head so that it is not cosmetically visible. The average person loses about 100 strands of hair a day naturally.
  • The hair sample collection procedure is non-invasive and takes about 5 to 10 minutes.
  • The hair analysis results will be kept confidential and will not be entered in your medical record or affect your care at Kaiser Permanente.
  • Participants will receive a $50 e-gift card after donating a hair sample.
  • This study has been reviewed and approved by the Kaiser Permanente Southern California Institutional Review Board (IRB #13302).

We are looking for volunteers who meet all the following criteria:

  • Are age 18 to 49 years
  • Are male or a transgender woman
  • Have taken daily oral PrEP for at least 1 month
  • Had 5 or more drinks of alcohol on one occasion or had 15 or more drinks per week in the last 30 days, or used any of the following substances for 2 or more times in the last 30 days:
    • stimulants (ex: cocaine, methamphetamine, ecstasy – MDMA)
    • cannabis (marijuana, weed) or
    • opioids (ex: norco, heroin, fentanyl, oxycontin)
  • Are able to provide a small hair sample (100 to 200 strands) for a hair analysis

 

Frequently asked questions
(For a PDF copy of the full study information sheet, click here.)

How long will I be in the study?

A one-time in-person visit will be scheduled for the hair sample collection. The hair sample collection procedure is non-invasive and takes about 5 to 10 minutes. The entire visit may take about 20 to 30 minutes for study staff to answer your questions, obtain verbal consent, and complete the hair collection procedure.

Can I stop being in the study?

If at any time you decide this study is not for you, you may let study staff know and/or call the study’s toll-free phone number (833-242-8497) to leave a message for the study team.

What risks can I expect from being in the study?

Some people may feel nervous about providing a hair sample. A total of 100 to 200 strands of hair (about as big around as a pen) will be cut close to the scalp in an area at the back of your head. The average person loses about 100 strands of hair per day naturally. Trained study staff will cut the hair so that it is not cosmetically visible.
You may be at risk of loss of confidential information when you communicate with study staff via email, if your email can be accessed by another person or your email account is compromised. The study team will use highly secure email servers to minimize the risk of loss of confidential information and limit the confidential information disclosed in the communication as needed. You may also reduce the risk by using an email address secured by a password that is only known to yourself.
If you would like to discuss about possible risks, please reach out to study staff via GoPrEP@kp.org or by calling the study’s toll-free number (1-833-242-8497) to leave a detailed message for us to call you back.

Are there benefits to taking part in the study?

There will be no direct benefit to you from participating in this study.

What other choices do I have if I do not take part in this study?

Your decision about whether you participate is entirely voluntary. You do not need to do anything else if you choose not to take part in this study. Your decision will not affect your medical care or your health care benefits at Kaiser Permanente.

Will information about me be kept private?

Your name and any identifying information you provide will be kept private in password protected electronic files. Any paper record that may contain your information will be kept secure. Your participation and your hair test results will not be entered into your medical record. You will provide verbal consent before a hair sample is collected. We collect your contact information only so that we may schedule your visit and to provide your $50 gift card as a thank you. No names or identifying information will be included on study materials related to this research project. The results will not be linked to identify you at a later time.
Your Kaiser Permanente doctor may have referred you to our study staff, but he or she will not have access to any of the study records or results. We will keep the hair sample and any personal information in a locked file cabinet and separate password protected electronic file until sent to the lab. All personal records with your information will be destroyed after the study is completed according to the policy of Kaiser Institutional Review Board. Information you share during your participation will not be recorded in your Kaiser Permanente medical record.

What are the costs of taking part in this study?

There are no monetary costs for participating in this interview.

Will I be paid for taking part in this study?

After you provide a hair sample, we will offer you $50 in the form of an Amazon.com or Target.com e-gift card (at your preference) as a thank you for your participation.

What are my rights if I take part in this study?

Taking part in this study is your choice. You may choose either to take part or not to take part in the study. If you decide to take part in this study now, you may still choose to leave the study at any time. No matter what decision you make, there will be no penalty to you in any way. Your decision will not affect your medical care and your healthcare benefits at Kaiser Permanente.
If you have any questions about your rights as a research participant, you may contact Armida Ayala, PhD, Director, Human Research Subjects Protection Office at 626-405-3665 or armida.ayala@kp.org

Who can answer my questions about the study?

You can talk to one of the research staff about your questions, concerns, or complaints about this study. You may call the study toll-free number 1-833-242-8497 to leave a detailed message for the study team to call you back or email GoPrEP@kp.org