HIV/AIDS, Human Immunodeficiency Virus
Conditions
Keywords
HIV self-testing, Behavioral sciences, Financial incentives, Viral suppression
Brief summary
This study aims to test if small incentives promote linkage to care and 6-month viral suppression among individuals recently tested for HIV at selected sites within Johannesburg, South Africa. Individuals who obtain a reactive HIV test result will be randomized to receive either the standard of care (SOC) for linkage to care or to receive financial incentives for confirmatory testing, linkage to care and viral suppression.
Detailed description
This study is in collaboration with Ezintsha, a sub-division of Wits Reproductive Health and HIV Institute (WRHI) in South Africa. This study will leverage on the existing research infrastructure of Ezintsha, including, HIVSS testing through the STAR initiative (Self-Test Africa), as well as HIV positive persons identified through other Ezintsha research studies and at Eztinsha affiliated health clinics. This study will use a randomized trial design to test the effectiveness of incentives to increase confirmatory testing, linkage to care and viral suppression. The aim of this study is to determine whether HIV-infected men and women are more likely to achieve or maintain HIV virologic suppression if offered financial incentives vs. no incentives (standard of care). Individuals who report receiving a reactive HIVSS test result on the STAR programme, or a HIV reactive test in another research study or at a affiliated clinic, will be randomized into one of two groups: a) a control group that receives the standard of care (SOC) for linkage to care; and b) an intervention group that receives financial incentives for confirmatory testing, linkage to care, and viral suppression.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALProvision of HIV self-screen kit with incentives and linkage promotion
This arm will receive a HIV self-screen kit and additional incentives to promote adherence and linkage to care
Sponsors
Wits Reproductive Health and HIV Institute
Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
University of Pennsylvania
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
SCREENING
Masking
NONE
Intervention model description
Individuals who report results of a positive HIV test will be randomized 1:1 to the intervention (incentives) or control (no incentives) arm.
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Reported HIV positive * Have a personal and/or valid phone number, that will remain active for 6 months * Have a phone with WhatsApp, or text message feature * Understand the Informed Consent form
Exclusion criteria
* Unwilling to provide informed consent * Any condition which would make the participant unsuitable or unsafe for enrollment, i.e. being unable to see or read by forgetting to bring reading glasses, being intoxicated or acute sickness
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Viral suppression at 6 months | approximately 6 months | Viral suppression (plasma HIV RNA \<400 copies/mL) at approximately 6 months after a positive HIV result |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Confirmatory testing | approximately 4 weeks | Laboratory HIV confirmatory testing within approximately 4 weeks for participants with a positive HIV self-screening result. |
| ART initiation | approximately 4 weeks | ART initiation within approximately 4 weeks after for those newly diagnosed with HIV |
Countries
South Africa
Outcome results
None listed