Clinical trial NCT06004011: AYAHIV Role-based Responsibilities for Oncology-focused Workforce (ARROW)
Official title: Integrated Delivery of Cancer Control Interventions for Adolescents and Young Adults Living With HIV in Zambia
Study type: INTERVENTIONAL
Overall status: RECRUITING
Phase: NA
Conditions: Cervical Cancer
Kaposi Sarcoma
Non Hodgkin Lymphoma
Keywords: cancer screening
Implementation trial
Lead sponsor: Implenomics
Sponsor class: OTHER
Collaborators: name: Population Council
name: RTI International
First posted: 2023-08-22
Enrollment: 4100
Sex: ALL
Minimum age (years): 15
Maximum age (years): 39
Standard ages: CHILD
ADULT
Accepts healthy volunteers: no
Allocation: RANDOMIZED
Intervention model: PARALLEL
Primary purpose: SCREENING

Brief summary: Adolescents and young adults living with HIV experience higher premature mortality from cancer than their uninfected peers. In Zambia, because of multilevel barriers, interventions for early diagnosis and optimized treatment to reduce this cancer mortality are underutilized for this disproportionally impacted cohort. In this study, the investigators will test peer-to-peer education and support strategies to increase use of early diagnosis services in HIV treatment facilities and improve compliance with cancer treatment in the cancer center.

Detailed description: Zambia is a global epicenter for HIV with a large number of adolescents and young adults living with HIV (AYAHIV). Compared with their uninfected peers, AYAHIV are at increased risk of developing cancer, most frequently Kaposi sarcoma (KS), non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL), and cervical cancer (CC). To reduce this premature mortality, evidence-based strategies should be implemented to both diagnose cancers at an earlier stage and help AYAHIV complete recommended cancer treatment. The investigators will use theory-informed multilevel strategies to create the AYAHIV Role-based Responsibilities for Oncology-focused Workforce (ARROW) program to increase uptake of services for early diagnosis and improve compliance with cancer treatment for KS, NHL, and CC. Our overall approach is based on the evidence-based strategy of peer support for engagement and learning. At the individual level, the investigators will address barriers by embedding peer counselors to support AYAHIV. At the provider level, the investigators will create a peer-to-peer learning network to build linkages between those specializing in pediatric and adult HIV treatment and cancer care. At the health care system level, the investigators will bring together health care administrators and Zambian Ministry of Health policy makers to review barriers and to develop and implement collaborative solutions. The investigators will use implementation science methods to evaluate effectiveness, implementation outcomes, and cost-effectiveness of the ARROW program compared with a one-time education campaign by pursuing the following aims:

Aim 1. Conduct randomized trials to compare the ARROW program with the one-time education campaign in increasing services received by AYAHIV to facilitate early diagnosis (physical exam for KS and NHL, CC screening, and timely diagnostic testing) and in improving adherence to cancer treatment.

Aim 2. Use mixed methods to assess implementation outcomes of the ARROW program compared with one-time education based on acceptability, feasibility, appropriateness, fidelity, and sustainability.

Aim 3. Perform economic evaluations to assess cost-effectiveness and return-on-investment scenarios.

Successful completion of these aims will yield a set of data-driven strategies that can be scaled up to reduce premature cancer mortality among AYAHIV. To support future implementation efforts, the investigators will generate incremental cost-effectiveness estimates, conduct policy simulations, evaluate implementation outcomes, and assess challenges and facilitators to optimize the ARROW program. The model tested in Zambia can serve as a blueprint for other Sub-Saharan African countries to ensure AYAHIV receive optimal services to facilitate early diagnosis and ensure completion of guideline-recommended treatments. The ARROW program will also provide a framework for implementing expanded services, such as preventive services and survivorship care, to further reduce the burden of cancer AYAHIV face.

Eligibility criteria: Inclusion Criteria:

* 15 to 39 years of age at the time of study enrolment, on antiretroviral medication (ART) for at least 6 months and with no pending plans to move from current residence during the 3-year study duration

Exclusion Criteria:

* pregnant at study enrolment

Primary outcomes:
measure: Proportion who complete screening/physical examination
timeFrame: 12 months after study enrollment
measure: Proportion who complete recommended cancer treatment modalities
timeFrame: 12 months after diagnosis
Secondary outcomes:
measure: Proportion who complete recommended follow-up supplemental diagnostic procedures
timeFrame: 3 months from receipt of follow-up referral
measure: Proportion who initiate cancer treatment
timeFrame: 3 months from diagnosis
measure: Proportion alive at 12 months
timeFrame: 12 months after diagnosis
Other outcomes:
Locations:
city: Lusaka
country: Zambia
facility: Public Health Facilities
Study officials:
References: