Interactive transition support for adolescents with HIV: comparing virtual and in-person care in South Africa
Official title: Interactive Transition Support for Adolescents Living with HIV Comparing Virtual and In-person delivery through a stepped-wedge cluster randomized clinical trial in South Africa
Funded at Emory University · NIH-11563747 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project tests whether virtual or in-person programs help adolescents moving from pediatric to adult HIV care in South Africa stay in care and keep their viral load under control.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Emory University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Atlanta, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2022 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $370,662 |
| NIH project number | 3R01MH131434-05S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11563747 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adolescents and young adults living with HIV in South Africa, especially those transitioning from pediatric to adult care.
✕Less likely to help
Patients not nearing transition or those who are already stable in adult care may see limited direct benefits.
What this research studies
This study will enroll adolescents and young people with HIV in KwaZulu-Natal to compare two transition support approaches—virtual and in-person—using a stepped-wedge cluster randomized design. Researchers will deliver adolescent-friendly, transition-focused services and monitor retention in care and viral suppression as participants move to adult HIV services. The trial will be conducted in South Africa, a setting with a large population of perinatally infected youth, and aims to generate evidence that could inform care models in other countries, including the U.S. The study also explores how mobile health tools can enhance readiness for transition and improve resource allocation for differentiated care.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the interventions could improve retention in care and viral suppression for adolescents transitioning to adult HIV care.
How similar studies have gone: This is a pioneering randomized trial evaluating transition interventions and mHealth specifically for HIV adolescents, with prior non-randomized work suggesting potential benefits but limited high-quality evidence.
Where this research is happening
-
Emory University
Atlanta, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zanoni, Brian C. — Emory University
- Study coordinator: Zanoni, Brian C.
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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.