VS4A: A video program to help adolescents with HIV stay in care and take their meds
Official title: VS4A: VITAL Start (Video-Intervention to Inspire Treatment Adherence for Life) for Adolescents, a video intervention to improve retention and adherence to ART among adolescents living with HIV
Funded at Baylor College of Medicine · NIH-11425302 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A video-based program designed for adolescents living with HIV in Malawi to help them stay in care and keep their viral load low, tested in a real-world clinic setting.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Baylor College of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project start | September 24, 2023 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $367,399 |
| NIH project number | 3UG1MD019436-04S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11425302 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are adolescents living with HIV who are attending clinics in Malawi and have guardians or caregivers involved in their care.
✕Less likely to help
Adolescents who do not participate in the program or who are in settings where there is limited implementation support may see no benefit.
What this research studies
This project adapts a pediatric/adolescent-focused video intervention called VITAL Start for teens with HIV. It will be tested in a multisite, clinic-based study in Malawi to see if it improves retention in care and adherence to antiretroviral therapy, aiming for viral suppression. The study uses a cluster-randomized design to compare VS4A-enhanced Teen Clubs with standard Teen Clubs, while examining how well facilities adopt and implement the program. Researchers will gather both quantitative outcomes and qualitative feedback from adolescents, guardians, and health workers to refine the approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the program could help more adolescents with HIV stay in care, take their meds consistently, and achieve better viral suppression.
How similar studies have gone: Prior versions of VS4A or similar video-based adherence interventions have shown promise in improving engagement, with ongoing evaluation in real-world settings.
Where this research is happening
-
Baylor College of Medicine
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ahmed, Saeed — Baylor College of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Ahmed, Saeed
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VS4A: A video program to help adolescents with HIV stick to treatment
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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.