Increasing HIV Testing Access for Children Ages 18 Months to 5 Years in Rural Uganda Through Traditional Healers

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating if HIV screening can be effectively conducted for children aged 18 months to 5 years by traditional healers in Southwestern Uganda. The study aims to determine whether caretakers accept HIV testing offered by traditional healers compared to acceptance and follow-through after referral to nearby health centers. The investigation also explores how factors like HIV-related stigma and caregiver knowledge influence testing decisions. The study involves training five traditional healers to provide pediatric-specific HIV counseling and rapid oral swab testing, while another five healers offer enhanced standard care by referring children to health facilities after education about community HIV resources. A total of 400 children will be enrolled over nine months, with half receiving testing through the healers and half referred for testing. Caregivers will complete health histories, surveys on HIV knowledge and stigma, and be offered rapid HIV testing or referral depending on the group. Participants caregivers will be contacted monthly for three months to track follow-up testing, confirmatory testing, and treatment initiation if HIV positive. The study includes thorough monitoring of counseling and testing quality, collection of demographic and behavioral data, and exit interviews with traditional healers and caregivers to assess acceptability and sustainability. The main outcome measured is the number of children completing HIV testing within three months of enrollment.

Improving Access to HIV Testing for Children in Uganda