Plan and Pledge, HIV Self-testing in South Africa
Human Immunodeficiency Virus
About this trial
This is an interventional treatment trial for Human Immunodeficiency Virus
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
- 19 years of age or older
Exclusion Criteria:
- Intoxication as this effects the result of the HIV self-test
Sites / Locations
- University of Pennsylvania
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Experimental
Experimental
Usual Care
Plan and Pledge
Participants randomized to this arm will receive a card with information to report results via WhatsApp, similar to the existing card used in the STAR program. This card will have a dedicated Usual Care WhatsApp number (different from the existing STAR program numbers). Potential self-test recipients will be shown the WhatsApp card and instructed on how to anonymously report use of self-test to the WhatsApp number. Recipients will be instructed to message the WhatsApp number for the following reasons: 1. So study staff know the self-test recipients used the test and it went ok. 2. So study staff can help the self-test recipients understand the results of the test. 3. If the self-test recipients need support from study staff to access care and services.
Participants randomized to this arm will revive the Usual Care WhatsApp card and and a brief template to "make a plan" and "make a pledge" for test completion and results reporting, to take the HIV self-test. The card will include a dedicated Plan and Pledge WhatsApp number. Potential self-tester recipients will be shown the WhatsApp card, including Plan and Pledge statements, and will be encouraged by STAR field staff to use the card in their own time to make a plan and sign the pledge as part of receiving the test kit and instructions for how to complete the card. Importantly, testers will be able to keep the card for themselves. There is no expectation to share the plan or the pledge signature with the STAR field staff who distribute self-tests. Field staff will clarify for self-tests recipients that the Plan and Pledge process and card do not change the confidentiality of testing in any way.