A tool to help people decide about HIV prevention methods with self-test kits
Official title: A self-administered PrEP Decisional Aid for dissemination with HIV self-test kits (DASH)
Funded at University of Michigan at Ann Arbor · NIH-11088283 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a helpful guide called the PrEP Decisional Aid, which will be given with free HIV self-test kits to help young people understand their options for preventing HIV and encourage them to start PrEP if it's right for them.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Michigan at Ann Arbor NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ann Arbor, United States) |
| Project start | May 15, 2024 |
| Project end | February 28, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $204,846 |
| NIH project number | 5R34MH135799-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11088283 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals aged 17-30 who are requesting HIV self-test kits and are interested in learning about PrEP options.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are already on PrEP or those who do not have access to HIV self-test kits may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research develops a self-administered tool called the PrEP Decisional Aid, which will be provided alongside free HIV self-test kits. The goal is to help users understand their options for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to prevent HIV, increase awareness, and encourage individuals to start PrEP if appropriate. The project will involve 120 participants aged 17-30 who will be randomly assigned to use either the decisional aid or standard information about PrEP. Researchers will collect feedback through surveys and interviews to refine the tool and assess its effectiveness.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could empower individuals to make informed decisions about HIV prevention, potentially increasing PrEP uptake and reducing HIV transmission rates.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that decision aids can effectively improve patient knowledge and decision-making in healthcare, suggesting potential success for this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Amico, Kathy Rivet — University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
- Study coordinator: Amico, Kathy Rivet
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
mChoice: Boosting PrEP Use and Adherence for Black and Latino MSM with Tailored Training and Support
A national study to help Black and Latino men who have sex with men start and stick with PrEP through culturally matched provider training and patient support.
-
Harnessing male peer networks to boost HIV testing and PrEP use
A large clinical trial in South Africa tests whether giving HIV self-test kits through male peer networks, with phone support, increases PrEP uptake among men.
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Harnessing men's peer networks to boost HIV self-testing and PrEP use
A large project in South Africa tests whether giving HIV self-test kits through men’s social networks, with phone support, can lead to more men starting PrEP and using HIV testing.
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Participatory system dynamics to improve PrEP access in the Bronx
A community-driven project in the Bronx will use system dynamics to identify practical ways to help people at risk for HIV start and stay on PrEP.
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TB PrEP: Bringing HIV prevention to households affected by TB in Uganda
Aims to help people in households with TB in Uganda access HIV PrEP as part of a combined prevention approach.
-
CARES: A practical program to help adolescent girls and young women use PrEP in Africa
A program called CARES helps young women in South Africa and Zimbabwe use different PrEP options better, with counseling, reminders, and options for support.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.