Confidential social-network referrals to get HIV testing
Confidential social network referrals for HIV testing (CONSORT)
This project uses private automated SMS messages sent through people's social networks in Tanzania to encourage adults at risk to get an HIV test.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of South Carolina at Columbia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Columbia, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11145279 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You could get a private SMS referral sent by someone in your social circle that links you to local HIV testing services, or you could be an index client who sends referrals to others. The program uses an open-source mHealth platform (mParis) and works with all local HIV counseling and testing providers in the Kilimanjaro Region to schedule appointments, send reminders, and offer small incentives. The team will track how acceptable and affordable these confidential SMS referrals are for both the people who send them and the people who receive them, while protecting your privacy. If you have a mobile phone and live in the area, the study could invite you either to refer friends/partners or to receive a referral message.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults (21+) in the Kilimanjaro Region of Tanzania who are at risk for HIV or are contacts of people with HIV and who have access to a mobile phone are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People without mobile phones, those under 21, individuals living outside the Kilimanjaro Region, or people already diagnosed and stably engaged in care may not benefit directly from this program.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could help more people who don't know they have HIV get tested earlier, speeding access to treatment and reducing onward transmission.
How similar studies have performed: SMS reminders and social-network referral programs have increased HIV testing in some settings, but fully automated confidential SMS referral systems like this are relatively new.
Where this research is happening
Columbia, United States
- University of South Carolina at Columbia — Columbia, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ostermann, Jan — University of South Carolina at Columbia
- Study coordinator: Ostermann, Jan
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 below.