CompletedNot Applicable

Traditional Healer-initiated HIV Counseling and Testing in South Africa

South Africa418 participantsStarted 2022-07-22

Plain-language summary

The objective of this proposal is to conduct a pilot test of a program aimed at training traditional healers to conduct HIV testing and implementing HIV testing among people living in Bushbuckridge, South Africa. Pilot Healer-initiated HIV testing uptake and linkage to prevention services. Trust in allopathic health care and HIV stigma will be measured among participants at study enrollment and at month seven. Hypothesis: Healer-initiated HIV counseling and testing (HICT) will increase trust in allopathic health care and reduce HIV stigma.

Who can participate

Age range

18 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion criteria

. Traditional healers \> 18 years of age, who are registered as traditional healers with the government of South Africa, are currently practicing in the Bushbuckridge area, and are trained to provide HIV testing.
. Biomedical practitioners \> 18 years of age, who are currently providing HIV-related health care services to patients at government or private health facilities in Bushbuckridge.
. Community members \> 18 years of age, who have not received an HIV test result in the past year and who currently live in Bushbuckridge.

Exclusion criteria

. Traditional healers who do not believe in HIV disease and those who can not pass their HIV counseling and testing certification.
. Biomedical practitioners who do not interact with patients seeking treatment for HIV.

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Feasibility of Completing HIV Testing Training

Timeframe: 1 month

Uptake of HIV Testing

Timeframe: 6 months

Trial details

NCT IDNCT05079347

SponsorVanderbilt University Medical Center

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2023-09-01

Results submitted2024-07-31

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