gender-specific combination hiv prevention for youth in high burden settings (mp3-youth)

Conditions: HIV; Adolescent Behavior; Gender

Summary: mp3 youth is a pilot study to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of a gender-specific combination hiv prevention package for youth (aged 15-24) in high burden settings. the study aims to pilot a combination package of gender-specific interventions in western kenya in a mobile health delivery format using integrated services delivery.

the mp3-youth study will provide critical information for design and evaluation of combination hiv prevention intervention packages that are sensitive to gender-specific risks among this most-at-risk population in high-hiv burden african settings. our team of biobehavioral and clinical scientists, mathematical modelers, and trial design specialists will: aim 1: identify gender (sex)-specific drivers of hiv acquisition risk, including pregnancy among females, for youth in sub-saharan africa, and interventions to best address those risks. aim 2: conduct mathematical modeling to select optimal combination intervention package components and to assess potential population-level impact. aim 3: in partnership with a highly-productive nongovernmental organization (ngo) that is delivering pepfar-funded hiv prevention services, develop and pilot a combination hiv prevention package specific for female and for male youth - 'mp3-youth' - in nyanza province, kenya. aim 4: design a phase iv study protocol for testing the effectiveness of a gender-specific youth hiv prevention package in sub-saharan africa. we will disseminate these research protocol recommendations, and study instruments including the mathematical modeling tool, as a combination prevention intervention research toolkit. design: study activities comprise systematic review and meta-analysis of the hiv prevention literature for youth in sub-saharan africa; development of a mathematical modeling tool; and a community-based hiv combination prevention pilot that will take place in western kenya. these activities will culminate in a testable combination hiv prevention trial protocol for youth, which is the main study deliverable. population: aim 1: focus groups will be held with male and female youth, parents, teachers, religious and community leaders. aim 3: pilot study will include male and female youths (ages 15-24) from nyanza province, kenya. deliverables: study deliverables include selection procedures for a population-specific combination hiv prevention package; measurement instruments, mobile prevention delivery protocols, mathematical modeling tools, and a testable study trial protocol. the entire mp3-youth package will be placed on a web site for open access.

Eligibility criteria:
inclusion criteria: * any male or female between the ages of 15-24. * able to understand spoken english or kiswahili or dholuo. * willing to give informed consent or if younger than 18 years of age has a parent or guardian willing to provide consent in addition to the minor's assent * willing to be tested for hiv. * willing to get participant id based on biometric finger scan. exclusion criteria: * any male or female younger than 15 or older than 24. * unable to understand spoken english, or kiswahili or dholuo. * if under 18 and not an emancipated minor, unable to get parental consent.

Keywords: hiv prevention & control intervention studies adolescent gender combination prevention pre-exposure prophylaxis cash transfer medical male circumcision hiv testing mobile health