Using text messaging to prevent HIV in young adults in Uganda
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-11114048 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a text messaging program called In This toGether (ITG) to help young adults in Uganda, ages 18-22, learn about HIV prevention and encourage safer sexual behaviors and more 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 | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $533,771 |
| NIH project number | 5R01MH136955-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11114048 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are young adults aged 18-22 living in Uganda who are interested in improving their sexual health and HIV prevention knowledge.
✕Less likely to help
Patients outside the age range of 18-22 or those not residing in Uganda may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to enhance HIV prevention among young adults aged 18-22 in Uganda through a text messaging program called In This toGether (ITG). The program delivers tailored HIV prevention information and resources directly to participants' mobile phones, making it accessible and engaging. By conducting a randomized controlled trial with 750 participants, the study will evaluate the effectiveness of ITG in promoting safer sexual behaviors and increasing HIV testing rates. The intervention will also be translated into three additional languages to reach a broader audience.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly reduce HIV transmission rates among young adults in Uganda.
How similar studies have gone: Previous pilot studies have shown promising results for similar text messaging interventions in improving HIV prevention behaviors.
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.