Confidential Social Network Referrals for HIV Testing

Summary

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.

Conditions

• HIV

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.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Duke University

  collaborator OTHER

• Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre, Tanzania

  collaborator OTHER

• University of South Carolina

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Jan Ostermann, PhD · University of South Carolina

• Nathan Thielman, MD · Duke University

• Bernard Njau, PhD · Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre, Tanzania

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

HEALTH_SERVICES_RESEARCH

Masking

NONE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2025-05-01

Primary Completion

2026-10-01

Completion

2027-04-01