In This toGether — a national text-message HIV prevention program for Ugandan young adults
Official title: In This toGether: Testing a population-based text messaging-based HIV prevention program for young adults across Uganda
Funded at Center for Innovative Public Health Research · NIH-11283974 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This program sends regular, youth-focused text messages to Ugandan 18–22-year-olds to boost condom use and encourage HIV testing.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Center for Innovative Public Health Research NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Clemente, United States) |
| Project start | June 12, 2024 |
| Project end | January 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $622,241 |
| NIH project number | 5R01MH136955-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11283974 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are Ugandan residents aged 18–22 who are sexually active or at risk for HIV and who have access to a mobile phone and can read texts in one of the study languages.
✕Less likely to help
People who live outside Uganda, are younger than 18 or older than 22, lack access to a mobile phone, or are already living with HIV are unlikely to benefit from this prevention program.
What this research studies
You would get regular text messages in a language you understand with tips on safer sex, condom use, and where to get HIV testing. The program was pilot-tested and will now be offered to a larger group in a national randomized trial of 750 young adults over 17 months with outcomes checked at 12 months and beyond. The team will expand messages into three additional languages and collect information on condom-protected sex acts, HIV testing, and STI testing through follow-up surveys. Participation focuses on reaching youth across Uganda by phone to deliver prevention messages widely.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could increase condom use and HIV testing among Ugandan young adults and help reduce new HIV infections.
How similar studies have gone: A prior pilot (R34) of this same program showed promising results with higher rates of condom-protected sex and more HIV testing, but larger national trials in the region remain limited.
Where this research is happening
-
Center for Innovative Public Health Research
San Clemente, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ybarra, Michele L. — Center for Innovative Public Health Research
- Study coordinator: Ybarra, Michele L.
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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.