This trial will pilot test intervention strategies to increase utilization of HIV testing and gain knowledge for designing a clinical trial to evaluate prevention strategies to reduce HIV sexual transmission in the general population in Russia. The study will assess whether external (cost, convenience) or internal factors (low perception of own risk, reluctance to identify a partner as at-risk, fear of stigma) drive Russian women's reluctance to be tested and if peer support impacts their decision. A randomized experimental manipulation, comparing opt-in vs. bundled opt-out testing approaches, followed by focus group discussions, followed by a second-chance testing offer will be used to inform these questions. The answers will enable the international research team to engineer and then test an HIV testing promotion strategy in Russia. The project will collect preliminary data for a larger study to develop an evidence-based program to reduce the HIV transmission in this high risk population.
A mixed methods research design combining qualitative and quantitative data collection methods will be used to increase the understanding of barriers to HIV testing, identify promising strategies to increase testing, generate research hypotheses, and design a future randomized clinical trial to evaluate HIV prevention targeted to at-risk women in the general population in Russia. The qualitative methods include structured interviews and a focus group participation to assess women's reasons for being the tested and possible prevention strategies. The quantitative methods include observation/recording of women's testing behaviors.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
41
Study participants will be offered a health screening onsite.
Study participants will be invited to participate in a focus group discussion.
University of Oklahoma
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States
St. Petersburg State University
Saint Peterburg, Russia
Number of participants who completed HIV test
A brief survey completed over the phone. Participants asked when the last HIV test was completed and her reasons for taking the test.
Time frame: First 1: at initial contact, an expected average of 15 minutes
Number of participants who accepted a rapid health screening/HIV test
Women's decision to take/not take a health screening test/HIV test is recorded. If a woman chooses to be tested, she will be asked a few questions to assess her reasons for being tested. She will be provided with the results of the testing. If a woman's test is positive for HIV (or other health risks in the bundled opt-out condition), counseling with a trained study nurse, physician or psychologist will be available on-site and a referral for additional testing, counseling, and appropriate medical care will be provided.
Time frame: Phase 2: an expected average of 2 hours
Brief survey to assess reasons for being tested
Participants who accepted a rapid health screening/HIV test are asked about reasons for taking the test at this time
Time frame: Phase 2: at time of completing HIV testing
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