Site-based social network approach to find undiagnosed HIV, boost testing among men, and reduce stigma in South Africa
Official title: Site-randomized Trial of a Novel Social Network Recruitment Intervention to Locate More Undiagnosed Positive Cases of HIV, Increase HIV Testing among Men, and Reduce HIV-related Stigma in South Africa
Funded at University of Illinois at Chicago · NIH-11519066 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new approach uses people with HIV to recruit a broader circle for HIV testing in South Africa, aiming to find undiagnosed cases, increase testing among men, and lower stigma.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Illinois at Chicago NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | July 15, 2024 |
| Project end | April 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $350,126 |
| NIH project number | 3R01MH136871-03S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11519066 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults in South Africa who are at risk or unaware of their HIV status, including men who are less likely to get tested.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals not connected to the targeted networks or outside the study sites may not experience direct benefits.
What this research studies
This project tests a social network recruitment strategy implemented at select sites in South Africa to reach men who may not seek HIV testing. Newly diagnosed individuals will help recruit their wider networks to get tested and linked to care if positive or to repeat testing if negative, with a focus on reducing stigma. The study will compare how well this expanded, peer-driven recruitment works in getting more people tested and engaged in treatment compared with traditional methods. The goal is to locate undiagnosed cases, cut HIV transmission, and improve access to care for those affected. Community and participant safety, confidentiality, and ethical engagement will be central throughout the intervention.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, more people will learn their HIV status sooner and be linked to care, potentially reducing transmission and improving health outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous peer-led recruitment approaches have shown promise in increasing HIV testing, with this study expanding to non-risk networks to reduce stigma.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Illinois at Chicago
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Williams, Leslie Denise — University of Illinois at Chicago
- Study coordinator: Williams, Leslie Denise
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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.