Mbita

Researchers are evaluating various low-cost behavioral interventions designed with input from the target users to encourage adults at higher risk of HIV exposure in rural Kenya and Uganda to retest for HIV. This large study aims to enroll between 30,000 and 40,000 individuals aged 15 years and older from eight HIV testing sites. The goal is to identify which strategies best promote repeat HIV testing and understand for whom these interventions are most effective. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive one of up to 12 different messaging strategies, each delivered through a brief video at their initial visit. These messages focus on themes such as risk assessment, U=U (Undetectable = Untransmittable), community benefits, fresh start effect, education, default appointment, reserved for you messaging, social norms, goal-setting, or a small financial incentive. Following the baseline visit, participants will receive follow-up SMS reminders at about 8 and 11 weeks to encourage returning for repeat HIV testing. During the study, researchers will monitor participants' HIV retesting uptake 3 to 6 months after their baseline visit. Data collected will be used to compare how effective each intervention is at encouraging retesting. Participants will need daily access to a mobile phone to receive messages, and their HIV status will be confirmed negative at enrollment. The total duration of participation will cover this retesting period and follow-up assessments.

Researchers are evaluating a brief alcohol counseling intervention to improve adherence to HIV prevention medications called PrEP and PEP among adults who heavily use alcohol and are at high risk for HIV. This study focuses on people attending drinking venues in Kenya and Uganda, aiming to understand factors that help or hinder staying on HIV prevention and the cost-effectiveness of this counseling approach. Participants who start PrEP are randomly assigned to receive either the Healthy Living Intervention (HLI), a short counseling program based on a behavioral model to reduce alcohol use and promote adherence, or standard alcohol counseling provided by the Ministry of Health. Those in the control group receive usual care, while the study compares the impact of these two approaches on retention in HIV prevention care. During the study, participants are monitored for their use of biomedical HIV prevention over 24 weeks after starting PrEP or PEP. Researchers collect data on how well participants stick to prevention treatments, barriers and supports for continued care, and how cost-effective the interventions are. The study requires participants to have access to a mobile phone and includes assessments to ensure eligibility and informed consent throughout the process.