WORTH Paths Intervention

Recruiting now · Not applicable

Conditions studied: Substance Use Disorder (SUD), Sexual and Reproductive Health, Sexual Risk Behavior

In brief

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).

Key facts

Study ID

NCT06889831

Run by

Fairleigh Dickinson University

People needed

50

Starts

2025-08-12

Expected to finish

2026-12-01

Last updated by the study team

2026-05-06

Who can join

Age: 18 and older, up to 44. Sex: female. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.

You may qualify if…

• Female sex at birth
• Aged 18-44 years
• Past year criminal legal involvement (e.g., incarceration or community supervision)
• Meets criteria for current substance use disorder (SUD) as defined by DSM-5 and assessed by the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI)
• 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)
• Able to read, write, and speak English
• Willing and able to provide informed consent

You may not qualify if…

• Currently pregnant or actively trying to conceive
• Diagnosed infertility (e.g., menopause, tubal ligation, hysterectomy)
• Unable to provide informed consent due to significant cognitive impairment, mental health condition, or substance intoxication
• Unable or unwilling to meet study requirements (e.g., attend sessions, complete assessments)

Where it is running

• Fairleigh Dickinson University — Teaneck, New Jersey, United States (enrolling)

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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