Overview
The goal of this hybrid (1a) Cluster Randomised Controlled Trial phase 3B trial is to evaluate the effectiveness and implementation of offering a choice of HIV Pre-Exposure Products (PrEP) through community-based sexual and reproductive health services, on PrEP uptake and retention, and population prevalence of sexually transmissible HIV amongst adolescents and young adults living in rural South Africa.
Researchers will compare adding the choice of long-acting PrEP, i.e. two monthly injectable cabotegravir (CAB LA) or dapiravine vaginal ring and HIV post exposure prophylaxis packs to daily oral PrEP integrated with community-based SRH in the 20 intervention clusters with standard of care (SoC), daily oral PrEP integrated with community-based SRH in the 20 control clusters, on uptake and retention on PrEP. We hypothesise that offering a choice of long-acting or oral PrEP and PEP within the community-based delivery of SRH services will overcome the challenges and barriers to effective use of oral daily PrEP and lead to a population-level effect on uptake and retention on PrEP and thus the prevalence of sexually transmissible HIV amongst 15-30 year olds living in rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
Description
This is a pragmatic trial of adding in a choice of South African Health Products Registration Authority (SAHPRA) approved newer PrEP products - APRETUDE (cabotegravir) 600 mg\3 mL: DAPIRING (Dapivirine) 25mg Vaginal Ring:56/20.2.8/0979 (22/11/2022) - to the current national department of health approved oral daily PrEP with TVF/FTC (Tenofovir disoproxil/emtricitabine), Objective 1. To measure the effectiveness of the choice of oral and long-acting PrEP, including injectable (CAB LA) and vaginal ring (DapiRing), and post exposure prophylaxis (PEP) on increasing effective uptake (adoption), retention, and adherence of PrEP compared to oral PrEP in young people aged 15-30 in rural South Africa and to estimate the preliminary effect on transmissible HIV and HIV incidence.
Objective 2. To understand real-world implementation:
2.1 To explore the acceptability, appropriateness, preference, and reach of CABLA from the perspective of young people aged 15-30 and their communities in rural South Africa 2.2 To understand the feasibility, affordability, and scalability of delivering CABLA through community-based PrEP with SRH.
2.3 To identify implementation challenges and practical solutions for CABLA initiation, laboratory monitoring (e.g. RNA testing), and safe stopping within nurse-led and rural community-based clinical settings 2.4 To evaluate the safety and tolerability of CABLA compared to oral PrEP
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria:
All young men and women aged 15-30 who are residing in the 40 administrative clusters in
the study district and attend any integrated SRH/HIV service
Documented HIV negative test
Suitable for PrEP and/or already on PrEP
Weight > 35 kg
Understand the required dosing schedule and HIV testing.
Aware that details can be shared with a peer navigator to support their follow-up
If pregnant or breast feeding and/or planning to become pregnant participant can be offered
CAB LA, if risk of acquiring HIV out weighs unknown risk of CAB LA, but must understand
that safety in pregnancy or breast feeding for CAB LA has not been established and oral
daily PrEP is a safe alternative.
Exclusion Criteria:
History or presence of allergy to the study drugs or their components
Investigator assessment find them not suitable
Additional exclusion criteria for specific products:
CAB LA: Taking medication that is contraindicated (Carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine,
phenobarbital, phenytoin, Rifampin, rifapentine) and Severe mental health disorder, Hep B
surface antigen positive, living with hepatitis C and not yet treated, or abnormal liver
function tests (ALT more than two times the upper limit of normal)
DapiRing: Pregnancy.