Protective Styles: Salon-based PrEP and HIV testing support for Southeastern communities
Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial of Using PrEP Doing it for Ourselves Protective Styles: A Multilevel Intervention to Improve HIV Testing and PrEP Uptake among Southeastern US at-risk populations
This project helps people in the U.S. Southeast learn about and get linked to PrEP and HIV testing through trained beauty stylists, a 6-week web video series, and telehealth services.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Duke University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Durham, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11166639 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you take part, local beauty salons will be organized so some salons receive training for stylists to share trusted HIV prevention information while other salons continue usual care. The intervention includes a 6-week web-based edutainment video series, structured debrief blogs, and connections to telehealth services for PrEP. The trial uses a cluster randomized design (salons as the clusters) to compare outcomes between salon groups across communities in the Southeast. Community partners and a community advisory council helped design the program to fit local needs.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults who do not have HIV, live in participating communities in the U.S. Southeast, and are at risk for HIV—especially those who use local beauty salons or can access the online videos and telehealth—are the intended participants.
Not a fit: People living with HIV, individuals already on and well-engaged with PrEP care, or those who live outside the participating Southeastern areas are unlikely to benefit from this intervention.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the program could increase HIV testing and PrEP uptake in underserved Southeastern communities and make it easier for people to start and stay on prevention services.
How similar studies have performed: Earlier salon-based and peer-opinion interventions have improved HIV knowledge and testing, but combining stylist training, a 6-week web edutainment series, and telehealth linkage is a relatively new approach.
Where this research is happening
Durham, United States
- Duke University — Durham, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Randolph, Schenita D. — Duke University
- Study coordinator: Randolph, Schenita D.
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.