NIMH Project Accept (HPTN 043) HIV/AIDS Community Mobilization (CM) to Promote Mobile HIV Voluntary Counseling and Testing (MVCT) in Rural Communities in Northern Thailand: Modifications by Experience

Abstract

Project Accept is a RCT designed to test the efficacy of community mobilization (CM), mobile voluntary counseling and testing (MVCT), and post-test support services (PTSS) in reducing HIV incidence in three African countries and Thailand. The intervention started in rural areas, northern Thailand in January 2006. CM initially included door-to-door visits during the daytime, small group discussions and joining organized meetings and followed by MVCT. In February 2007, CM strategy using HIV/AIDS “edutainment” (education and entertainment) during evening hours was introduced. After edutainment was initiated, the number of participants increased substantially. VCT uptake increased from 18 to 28 persons/day on average (t test; t = 7.87 P < 0.0001). Edutainment especially motivated younger people, as the median age of VCT clients decreased from 38 to 35 years old (median test; z = 6.74, P < 0.0001). Providing free MVCT in community settings along with edutainment during evening hours increased VCT uptake and was particularly attractive to younger adults.

Appendix

NIMH Project Accept Study Group (Voting Steering Committee members are indicated with an asterisk).

Laurie Abler, MPH (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill), Christopher Bamanyisa, MA, AD (2004–2006) (Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences), Chris Beyrer, MD, MPH (Johns Hopkins University) Adam W. Carrico, PhD (University of California, San Francisco), *David Celentano, ScD, MHS, Principal Investigator (Johns Hopkins University), *Suwat Chariyalertsak, MD, DrPH, Principal Investigator (Chiang Mai University, Research Institute for Health Sciences), *Alfred Chingono, MSc, Principal Investigator (University of Zimbabwe), Lillianne Chovenye, MA (2004–2008) (Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences), *Thomas J. Coates, PhD, Principal Investigator (Chair, Steering Committee) (University of California, Los Angeles), Kathryn Curran, MHS (2007–2009) (Medical University of South Carolina), *Deborah Donnell, PhD (Statistical Center for HIV/AIDS Research & Prevention, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center), Susan Eshleman MD, PhD (Johns Hopkins University), Agnès Fiamma, MIPH (University of California, Los Angeles), Katherine Fritz, PhD, MPH (International Center for Research on Women), Janet Frohlich, Dcur (Human Sciences Research Council), Becky Genberg, MPH (2003–2008) (Johns Hopkins University), *Glenda Gray, MBBCH, FCPaeds(SA), Principal Investigator (University of the Witwatersrand/Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital), Amy Gregowski, MHS (International Center for Research on Women), Harry Hausler, MD, MPH (2003–2007) (London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine), Zdenek Hlavka, PhD (Charles University, Department of Probability and Statistics), Daniel Hlubinka, PhD (Charles University, Department of Probability and Statistics), Nora Margaret Hogan, PsyD (2003–2005) (Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences), Philip Joseph (Human Sciences Research Council), Tendayi Jubenkanda BSs Hons, Registered Nurse, Registered Midwife, MBA (University of Zimbabwe), Salim Abdool Karim, MBChB, PhD (Human Sciences Research Council), Surinda Kawichai, PhD, MSc (Johns Hopkins University, Chiang Mai University, Research Institute for Health Sciences), Sebastian Kevany, MPH (University of California, San Francisco), Gertrude Khumalo-Sakutukwa, MSW, MMS (University of California, San Francisco), G.P. Kilonzo, MD, FRCP, Mmed, MBChB, BA, Co-Principal Investigator (Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences), *Michal Kulich, PhD (Charles University, Department of Probability and Statistics), Oliver Laeyendecker, MS, MBA (National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Johns Hopkins University), Tim Lane, PhD, MPH (University of California, San Francisco), Florence P. Lema, MSc, MPH (Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences), Benjamin Link, MPH, MSW (2003–2005) (Johns Hopkins University), Tserayi Machinda, BSC Admin ACCA, MBA(wip) (2005–2006) (University of Zimbabwe), Suzanne Maman, PhD (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill), *Jessie Mbwambo, MD, Principal Investigator (Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences), Nuala McGrath, ScD, MSc, BSc (London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine), James McIntyre, MBChB, MRCOG, Co-Principal Investigator (University of the Witwatersrand/Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital), Joanne Mickalian, MA (2003–2006) (University of California, San Francisco), Precious Modiba, MA(SW) (University of the Witwatersrand/Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital), Simon Morfit, MPH, BA (2005–2006) (University of California, San Francisco), *Stephen F. Morin, PhD, Principal Investigator (University of California, San Francisco), Khalifa M. Mrumbi, MSc. PhD, Co-Principal Investigator (Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences), Marta I. Mulawa, MHS (Medical University of South Carolina), Oliver Murima, MSc (University of Zimbabwe), Thulani Ngubani, BTh, Hons (Human Sciences Research Council), Audrey Pettifor, PhD, MPH (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill), Estelle Piwowar-Manning, BS MT(ASCP)SI (Johns Hopkins University), *Linda Richter, PhD, Principal Investigator (Human Sciences Research Council), Gavin Robertson, MEd (University of the Witwatersrand/Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital), Andrew M. Sadowski (Medical University of South Carolina), Memory Sendah, MSc (2003–2006) (University of Zimbabwe), Basant Singh, PhD, Bsc, Msc (University of Zimbabwe), *Michael Sweat, PhD, Principal Investigator (Medical University of South Carolina), Greg Szekeres (University of California, Los Angeles), Andrew Timbe, Med (University of Zimbabwe), Heidi Van Rooyen, PhD (Human Sciences Research Council), Surasing Visrutaratna, PhD, Co-Principal Investigator (Chiang Mai University, Research Institute for Health Sciences), Godfrey Woelk, PhD, MCOMMH, BSc (University of Zimbabwe), Carla E. Zelaya, PhD, MSc (Johns Hopkins University).