Actively Recruiting
Use of Unmanned Air Vehicles (Medical Drones) to Overcome Geographical Barriers to Delivery of Anti-Retroviral Therapy and Biological Samples
Led by Makerere University · Updated on 2026-02-17
1086
Participants Needed
2
Research Sites
143 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
Sponsors
M
Makerere University
Lead Sponsor
M
Medical Research Council
Collaborating Sponsor
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if the intervention of delivery of antiretroviral drugs by medical drones can improve virological suppression in a fisherfolk community population living with HIV in the islands of Kalangala District, Uganda. The main question it aims to answer is: Can delivery of anti-retroviral therapy (ART) by unmanned aerial vehicles (medical drones) to people living with HIV (PLHIV) improve virological outcomes compared to the standard of care (SOC) in an underserved population? Primary hypothesis: The investigators hypothesize that using drones will increase viral suppression in those receiving the intervention as compared to the control or outcome measure one-will be the proportion of PLHIV with undetectable HIV viral load in the intervention (drones) versus SOC arm at 12 months. If there is a comparison group: Researchers will compare \[Medical Drones delivery group\] to see total cost of 12 months medication delivery to people living with HIV (PLHIV) in the intervention as compared to standard of care (SOC) arm. Proportion PLHIV with an undetectable viral load at 6, 18 and 24 months in intervention Rates of retention in care of PLHIV at 6,12, 18 and 24 months in intervention as compared to SOC arm * Participants will be seen every 6 months for 24 months * They will have blood draws for viral load tests * They will complete interviewer administered questionnaires * The intervention is last-mile delivery of ART by drones to landing sites
CONDITIONS
Official Title
Use of Unmanned Air Vehicles (Medical Drones) to Overcome Geographical Barriers to Delivery of Anti-Retroviral Therapy and Biological Samples
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Adult (>18 years) living with HIV
- Emancipated minor (15-17 years) living with HIV
- Receiving antiretroviral therapy in Kalangala District
- Resident in Kalangala District for at least 6 to 12 months
- Willing to stay in the district for at least 24 months
- Willing to disclose HIV status to an expert peer or village health team member
- Willing to join decentralized Service Delivery model groups
You will not qualify if you...
- Potential participants under 15 years whose care providers are not receiving care from DSD
- Presence of active opportunistic infection (including TB) at enrollment
- Patients with mental illness or medical conditions impairing decision-making
- Any clinical condition making participation unsuitable or inability to comply with dosing
- Residents in areas that participated in stage 2 drone delivery such as Bufumira island
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Trial Site Locations
Total: 2 locations
1
Bwendero Health Centre
Kalangala, Ssese, Uganda
Actively Recruiting
2
Mugoye health Centre III
Kalangala, Ssese, Uganda
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
R
Rosalind Principal Investigator, MBBS, MA Hons, MRCP, Ph.D
CONTACT
A
Agnes Bwanika Naggirinya, MBChB, MSC, MMed
CONTACT
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
NONE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
PARALLEL
Primary Purpose
TREATMENT
Number of Arms
2
Not the Right Trial for You?
Explore thousands of other clinical trials that might be a better match.
Sign up to get personalized trial recommendations delivered to your inbox.
Already have an account? Log in here