Confidential Social Network Referrals for HIV Testing
For patients and families
In plain language
An automatic summary of structured registry data. It is an orientation aid, not a substitute for the official protocol or a physician assessment.
- What is being studied
- The protocol lists: CONSORT referrals, Card referrals.
- Who it may be relevant to
- Registry conditions: HIV. Basic parameters: from 18 years · All.
- What needs checking
- Age, condition and sex are only basic indicators. Prior treatment, laboratory values and other mandatory requirements appear in the eligibility criteria below.
- Where it takes place
- Center list to be confirmed — check the primary protocol.
- Next step
- Save the trial, show it to the treating physician, and confirm current recruitment with the study center. Costs, documents and travel →
Unsure about the terms? Read our patient guide →
Overview
Despite worldwide efforts to promote HIV testing, rates of testing remain low. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the acceptability, efficacy, and cost-effectiveness of confidential SMS-based social network referrals for HIV testing as a means of reaching high-risk individuals and prompting them to test for HIV. To accomplish this purpose, the study has 5 specific aims: Aim 1 will conduct qualitative, formative work to identify desirable provider- and client-side characteristics of a confidential SMS-based HIV testing referral system. Aim 2 will adapt an existing mHealth system (mParis) to add CONSORT functionality. Aim 3 will pilot-test the CONSORT system to collect preliminary data on the system's acceptability, performance, and potential efficacy. Aim 4 will evaluate the acceptability and efficacy of CONSORT in a randomized controlled trial. Aim 5 will evaluate the incremental cost-effectiveness of CONSORT vs. other referral options. If CONSORT is shown to be acceptable, effective, and cost-effective, such mobile-phone supported, chain-referral methods could greatly improve the cost-effectiveness of HIV testing efforts.
Detailed description
No additional detail available
Interventions
- Behavioral CONSORT referrals
Participants will be offered SMS-based confidential social network referrals for HIV testing ("CONSORT referrals") to extend to any of their social and sexual network contacts. - Behavioral Card referrals
Participants will be offered physical invitation cards ("card referrals") to extend to any of their social and sexual network contacts.
Primary outcome measures
- Uptake of HIV testing [Time frame: Within 30 days of the time of the testing offer]
Eligibility criteria
Inclusion criteria
- at least 18 years old
- live, work, or regularly receive care in Moshi, Tanzania
- literate
Exclusion criteria
- under age 18 years
- does not live, work, or regularly receive care in Moshi, Tanzania
- illiterate
Criteria are shown verbatim from the registry (in English). Final eligibility is always assessed by the study center.
Healthy volunteers: No
Study design
- Allocation
- Randomized
- Model
- Parallel assignment
- Masking
- Open label
- Primary purpose
- Health services research
Study locations
Center list to be confirmed — check the primary protocol.
Publications
- Ostermann J, Njau B, Masaki M, Mtuy T, Itemba D, Hobbie A, Yelverton V, Moore S, Yamanis T, Thielman NM. Feasibility, Acceptability, and Potential Cost-Effectiveness of a Novel Mobile Phone Intervention to Promote Human Immunodeficiency Virus Testing Within Social Networks in Tanzania. Sex Transm Dis. 2022 Nov 1;49(11):778-781. doi: 10.1097/OLQ.0000000000001611. Epub 2022 Jan 29. PMID 35093981
- Ostermann J, Njau B, van Zwetselaar M, Yamanis T, McClimans L, Mwangi R, Beti M, Hobbie A, Gass SJ, Mtuy T, Thielman N. Mobile Phone-Based Confidential Social Network Referrals for HIV Testing (CONSORT): Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial. JMIR Res Protoc. 2024 May 30;13:e55068. doi: 10.2196/55068. PMID 38814692
Identifiers
NCT: NCT05967208 · Pro00120208