Helping migrant men in Johannesburg use HIV prevention methods
Official title: Development and Pilot RCT of a "Healthy Welcome" Intervention to Increase PrEP Uptake and Adherence Among Migrant Men in Johannesburg
Funded at Brigham and Women's Hospital · NIH-10923600 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a friendly program called 'Healthy Welcome' to help migrant men in Johannesburg learn about and consistently use PrEP for HIV prevention, making it easier for them to access the medication and feel comfortable at healthcare facilities.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Brigham and Women's Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | July 15, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $201,006 |
| NIH project number | 1K23MH134771-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10923600 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are migrant men living in Johannesburg who are at risk of HIV and are interested in using PrEP.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not at risk of HIV or who are not migrants may not receive any benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to develop and test a program called the 'Healthy Welcome' intervention to help migrant men in Johannesburg start and stick to using pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV prevention. The program will address common barriers these men face, such as lack of knowledge about PrEP, stigma at healthcare facilities, and unfamiliarity with local health services. By connecting them with community pharmacies, the intervention seeks to improve access to and adherence to PrEP. The research will involve pilot testing this approach to evaluate its effectiveness in increasing PrEP uptake among this high-risk population.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly reduce the incidence of HIV among migrant men by improving their access to and adherence to preventive treatments.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that targeted interventions can effectively increase PrEP uptake among high-risk populations, suggesting that this approach may also be successful.
Where this research is happening
-
Brigham and Women's Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Nardell, Maria Francesca — Brigham and Women's Hospital
- Study coordinator: Nardell, Maria Francesca
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.
-
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.
-
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.