Harnessing male peer networks to boost HIV testing and PrEP use
Official title: Harnessing male peer networks to enhance engagement with HIV prevention: A largescale cluster randomized trial to increase HIV self-testing and PrEP uptake
Funded at Stellenbosch University · NIH-11621079 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Stellenbosch University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stellenbosch, SOUTH AFRICA) |
| Project start | August 3, 2023 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $109,614 |
| NIH project number | 3R01MH133488-04S2 |
| Project ID | NIH-11621079 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are men in the study population within the 44 clusters, approximately 81 men per cluster, eligible for HIV testing and PrEP considerations.
✕Less likely to help
Some participants may not experience increased PrEP uptake or better engagement despite the intervention.
What this research studies
This project tests a practical approach to improve HIV prevention by using men’s social networks to distribute self-test kits and provide ongoing support. It builds on an established long-term study population to measure whether the strategy increases PrEP initiation within six months. Participants are grouped into communities, with half receiving the peer-distribution intervention and half continuing standard approaches. The trial aims to show that a peer-led, phone-supported model can raise testing and prevention uptake in a real-world setting.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, more men may learn their HIV status quickly and start PrEP, reducing new infections.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research supports peer-led distribution and reminder support for health behaviors, with ongoing work to confirm impact on PrEP uptake.
Where this research is happening
-
Stellenbosch University
Stellenbosch, South Africa Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Tanser, Frank Courteney — Stellenbosch University
- Study coordinator: Tanser, Frank Courteney
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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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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.