HIV Infections and Infestations Human immunodeficiency virus [HIV] disease
Conditions
Interventions
The study is a pilot study designed to assess the feasibility of delivering HIVST through peer networks in fishing communities of Uganda with high HIV prevalence. It is a one-arm trial of the provisio
Sponsors
Johns Hopkins University
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
Male
Inclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria: The inclusion criteria for seed participants are: 1. Male 2. More than 18 years old 3. Involved in fishing or fishing-related activities (e.g., fish trading) 4. A client of the participating TASO facility HIV-related services (either ART services or HIV testing and counseling) 5. Not married or having a sexual partner at the time of enrollment The HIVST recruits are individuals who are distributed HIVST kits by the seeds, and are referred to the health facility for assessment using a referral coupon. Seeds are instructed to recruit individuals who are: 1. Males 2. Engage in fishing activities 3. Have not been tested for HIV in more than a year 4. Aged 18 years or older
Exclusion criteria
Exclusion criteria: 1. Female 2. Younger than 18 years old 3. Not engaged in fishing activities 4. Married and/or having a sexual partner at the time of enrollment. This exclusion criterion is added because the aim is to assess the feasibility of distributing HIVST kits through peer networks, whereas married and/or partnered individuals may primarily target their spouse and/or sexual partner(s) for distribution of HIVST kits
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| Proportion of instances of coercion among all distributed HIVST recruits, measured when recruits present for study assessment by asking recruits during an interview whether they have experienced any instance of coercion of social influence in deciding whether to use the self-test kits. Recruits are enrolled in the study through the use of a referral coupon given to them by the seeds. | — |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| Measured during interviews with recruits and during a follow-up interview with seeds one month after enrollment. All interviews are conducted using audio computer-assisted self-interviewing (ACASI) to reduce social desirability bias in data about sensitive behaviors (e.g., HIV testing): 1. Instances of psychological distress following an HIV-positive test result among recruits 2. Cases of inter-personal violence and harm reported by the seeds and/or the recruits 3. The proportion of HIVST recruits who are peers (i.e., fishermen) 4. Proportion of recruits tested within the last month 5. Proportion of new testers among recruits reached with HIVST 6. Proportion of recruits linked to care and treatment 7. Specificity of HIVST in measuring the HIV status of recruits 8. Sensitivity of HIVST in measuring the HIV status of recruits Measured by comparing 1) the self-reported self-test results by the recruits, 2) reading the used HIV self-test kits returned by recruits, and 3) confirmatory HIV testing conducted by a health worker | — |
Countries
Uganda
Contacts
Public ContactStephane Helleringer
Outcome results
None listed