Using traditional healers to offer HIV testing and counseling instead of standard clinic-based care in rural South Africa

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

The trial is a cluster randomized controlled design in 42 clinical catchment areas in rural Bushbuckridge (Agincourt), building on a successful pilot where trained healers offered testing within their local clinics. Traditional healers will be trained to advertise free healer-initiated counseling and testing, provide point-of-care HIV tests, and facilitate linkage to public HIV care and treatment services. Adult community members (≥18) who choose to receive an HIV test from a participating healer will be enrolled and outcomes will include testing uptake, number of new HIV diagnoses, and successful linkage to care. The intervention will be compared to standard of care catchment areas to measure whether healer-initiated services increase testing and treatment entry among populations who underutilize clinic-based services.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* Community members \> 18 years of age, who chose to receive an HIV test from a traditional healer.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Community members who are not of sound mind or body during the recruitment (inebriated, experiencing a mental health issue).

Where it's running

• Bushbuckridge
  Agincourt, Mp, South Africa Recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Carolyn Audet, PhD — Vanderbilt University
• Study coordinator: Carolyn M Audet, PhD
• Email: carolyn.m.audet@vumc.org
• Phone: 6153432118

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.