Actively Recruiting
Site-randomized Trial of a Novel Social Network Recruitment Intervention to Locate More Undiagnosed Positive Cases of HIV, Increase HIV Testing Among Men, and Reduce HIV-related Stigma in South Africa (E-SNRHT South Africa)
Led by University of Illinois at Chicago · Updated on 2026-04-13
2480
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
N/A
Total Duration
On this page
Sponsors
U
University of Illinois at Chicago
Lead Sponsor
N
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Collaborating Sponsor
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Researchers are evaluating an expanded social network recruitment to HIV testing (E-SNRHT) intervention in South Africa to address the challenge of locating undiagnosed HIV cases and reducing HIV-related stigma. This study focuses on increasing HIV testing among men, who are less likely to seek testing, by encouraging peer recruitment beyond risk partners to include any social contacts. The study is a site-randomized trial involving 32 Department of Health clinics in KwaZulu-Natal, comparing E-SNRHT to usual care to assess its impact on testing rates, stigma, social support, and treatment outcomes. The intervention recruits newly diagnosed HIV-positive individuals (seeds) from clinics assigned to the E-SNRHT condition, who receive education about HIV transmission and are asked to recruit members of their expanded social networks for HIV testing. These network members are then tested and referred to treatment if positive or to follow-up testing if negative. The study uses recruitment coupons to maintain confidentiality and extends recruitment to secondary network members through a two-step process. Control clinics provide standard HIV testing and care without the expanded recruitment. Participants complete baseline interviews covering demographics, behaviors, stigma, and social support, with follow-up interviews at six months to track HIV-related behaviors and treatment outcomes. The study includes qualitative interviews with a subset to explore experiences of peer recruitment and stigma. Researchers will collect clinic data on ART initiation and viral suppression, monitor implementation fidelity, and evaluate intervention effects on male testing rates, new HIV diagnoses, stigma, social support, and HIV care cascade outcomes over the study period ending in 2027.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
Expanded Social Network Recruitment to HIV Testing (E-SNRHT) Intervention to Locate Undiagnosed Cases and Reduce HIV-related Stigma
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Has a study recruitment coupon from a clinic or intervention arm participant
- Is 18 years old or older
- Is able to be interviewed in English or isiZulu
- Is able to give informed consent
- Resides in the Msunduzi region of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
You will not qualify if you...
- Does not have a study recruitment coupon from a clinic or intervention arm participant
- Is younger than 18 years old
- Is not able to be interviewed in English or isiZulu
- Is not able to give informed consent
- Does not reside in the Msunduzi region of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Your Study Journey
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
1 visit (in-person)
Duration - Baseline day
Participants complete baseline interviews about their demographics, behaviors, stigma experiences, and social support. All network members receive pre-test counseling, rapid HIV testing, post-test counseling, and confirmatory testing if positive. Blood samples are collected for viral load testing from participants diagnosed with HIV.
1 visit (in-person)
Duration - Ongoing recruitment during the study period
Participants in the intervention arm who are newly diagnosed with HIV are educated about HIV transmission risks and asked to recruit people from their social networks who might benefit from HIV testing. Network members recruited are also asked to recruit others following the same process, expanding the reach of HIV testing.
Visits occur as needed for recruitment and testing
Duration - Up to 6 months following baseline
Participants diagnosed with HIV are referred to treatment and supported with appointment scheduling and navigating clinic systems. Participants who test negative are encouraged to schedule follow-up HIV testing at 3-month intervals and receive assistance in making clinic appointments.
Ongoing contact and support visits as needed
Duration - 6 months post-baseline
Participants complete follow-up interviews approximately 6 months after baseline to assess behaviors, HIV service use, stigma experiences, social support, and intervention acceptability. Blood samples for viral load testing are collected from participants diagnosed with HIV.
1 visit (in-person)
Duration - Between 1 and 2 months post-baseline
A subset of network members participate in detailed interviews about their experiences with peer recruitment and HIV testing conversations approximately 1-2 months after baseline.
1 visit (in-person)
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
Centre for Community-based Research, Human Sciences Research Council
Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, 3201
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
L
Leslie D. Williams, Ph.D.
A
Alastair van Heerden, Ph.D.
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
NONE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
PARALLEL
Primary Purpose
HEALTH_SERVICES_RESEARCH
Number of Arms
2
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