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.
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.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
SCREENING
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
99
This arm will receive a HIV self-screen kit and additional incentives to promote adherence and linkage to care
Ezintsha Clinical Research Center
Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
Viral suppression at 6 months
Viral suppression (plasma HIV RNA \<400 copies/mL) at approximately 6 months after a positive HIV result
Time frame: approximately 6 months
Confirmatory testing
Laboratory HIV confirmatory testing within approximately 4 weeks for participants with a positive HIV self-screening result.
Time frame: approximately 4 weeks
ART initiation
ART initiation within approximately 4 weeks after for those newly diagnosed with HIV
Time frame: approximately 4 weeks
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