NCT02338739

Brief Summary

Retaining HIV-infected patients in care is critical, but loss to follow-up after enrolment often reaches 20%-40% by two years, placing millions of patients at risk of poor outcomes. A strategy to optimize retention within resource constraints is urgently needed. Sequential adaptive strategies - a novel class of public health approaches - may offer a solution. A candidate sequential adaptive strategy would start with a less expensive intervention (e.g., SMS) in all patients and then apply a more costly and intensive one (e.g., navigator) only to patients who show early signs of poor retention. This study involves a sequential multiple assignment randomized trial to evaluate a family of such strategies. the investigators will randomize 1,800 adults newly initiating antiretroviral treatment (ART) at 4 HIV clinics in the Nyanza region of Kenya to (1) standard of care routine education and counselling (REC), (2) SMS text messages, or (3) transport vouchers. Patients with early signs of weakening retention (defined as the first time a patient is 14 days late for an appointment) will be re-randomized to (1) a single episode of outreach (standard of care), (2) SMS combined with vouchers, or (3) a peer navigator. Patients not successfully contacted by 28 days after missed visit (and not verified to have left the area or transferred to another clinic) will also be rerandomized to of one the same three re-engagement interventions. Individuals randomized at first stage to SMS or voucher that do not miss a visit by at least 14 days in the first 12 months of follow up will be re-randomized at 12 months to stop first stage intervention or continue with that same intervention to 24 months. The investigators primary objective is to assess the comparative effectiveness of sequenced intervention strategies to prevent initial lapses in retention and to treat those that occur. The investigators primary endpoint is fraction of time retained in care two years after enrolment. In addition, the investigators will assess the comparative effectiveness of first-stage strategies (REC, SMS, voucher) to prevent lapses in retention, and the comparative effectiveness of second stage strategies (outreach, SMS + voucher, navigator) to re-engage patients after initial lapse. This study will also compare outcomes among patients who continue versus discontinue the SMS and voucher interventions, including a small complementarity component utilizing qualitative methods to examine the voucher approach and the effects of discontinuing this approach after success among a subset of participants. At study conclusion the investigators output will be a menu of adaptive strategies for retention, accompanied by estimates of cost and effectiveness, which policy makers in different settings can use to advance the impact of HIV care and treatment programs in Africa.

Trial Health

87
On Track

Trial Health Score

Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach

Enrollment
1,816

participants targeted

Target at P75+ for not_applicable hiv

Timeline
Completed

Started Mar 2015

Longer than P75 for not_applicable hiv

Geographic Reach
1 country

1 active site

Status
completed

Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.

Trial Relationships

Click on a node to explore related trials.

Study Timeline

Key milestones and dates

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

December 11, 2014

Completed
1 month until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

January 14, 2015

Completed
2 months until next milestone

Study Start

First participant enrolled

March 1, 2015

Completed
5.7 years until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

November 1, 2020

Completed
Same day until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

November 1, 2020

Completed
Last Updated

March 16, 2021

Status Verified

March 1, 2021

Enrollment Period

5.7 years

First QC Date

December 11, 2014

Last Update Submit

March 11, 2021

Conditions

Keywords

RetentionLost to follow upAdaptive strategiesDynamic regimeSequentially randomized trialSequential multiple assignment randomized trialEngagement in careKenya

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

  • Retention

    Fraction of time in care

    Up to two years after enrollment

Secondary Outcomes (7)

  • Alive with suppressed HIV RNA level (<400 copies/ml)

    Two years after study enrollment

  • Time from second randomization to return to clinic after initial retention lapse

    Up to two years after enrollment

  • Mean visit adherence (% visits made)

    Two years after study enrollment

  • Retention

    Two years after enrollment

  • Fraction on-time pharmacy pick-ups for antiretroviral drugs

    Two years after enrollment

  • +2 more secondary outcomes

Study Arms (15)

REC; Outreach if Failure

ACTIVE COMPARATOR
Behavioral: REC; Outreach if Failure

REC; SMS + Voucher if Failure

ACTIVE COMPARATOR
Behavioral: REC; SMS + Voucher if Failure

REC; Navigator if Failure

ACTIVE COMPARATOR
Behavioral: REC; Navigator if Failure

SMS; Outreach if Failure

ACTIVE COMPARATOR
Behavioral: SMS; Outreach if Failure

SMS; Outreach if Failure; Stop SMS if Success

ACTIVE COMPARATOR
Behavioral: SMS; Outreach if Failure; Stop SMS if Success

SMS; SMS+Voucher if Failure

ACTIVE COMPARATOR
Behavioral: SMS; SMS+Voucher if Failure

SMS; SMS+Voucher if Failure; Stop SMS if Success

ACTIVE COMPARATOR
Behavioral: SMS; SMS+Voucher if Failure; Stop SMS if Success

SMS; Navigator if Failure

ACTIVE COMPARATOR
Behavioral: SMS; Navigator if Failure

SMS; Navigator if Failure; Stop SMS if Success

ACTIVE COMPARATOR
Behavioral: SMS; Navigator if Failure; Stop SMS if Success

Voucher; Outreach if Failure

ACTIVE COMPARATOR
Behavioral: Voucher; Outreach if Failure

Voucher; Outreach if Failure; Stop Voucher if Success

ACTIVE COMPARATOR
Behavioral: Voucher; Outreach if Failure; Stop Voucher if Success

Voucher; SMS+Voucher if Failure

ACTIVE COMPARATOR
Behavioral: Voucher; SMS+Voucher if Failure

Voucher; SMS+Voucher if Failure; Stop Voucher if Success

ACTIVE COMPARATOR
Behavioral: Voucher; SMS+Voucher if Failure; Stop Voucher if Success

Voucher; Navigator if Failure

ACTIVE COMPARATOR
Behavioral: Voucher; Navigator if Failure

Voucher; Navigator if Failure; Stop Voucher if Success

ACTIVE COMPARATOR
Behavioral: Voucher; Navigator if Failure; Stop Voucher if Success

Interventions

Routine education and counseling (REC) services, delivered per Kenya Ministry of Health Guidelines; followed by standard of care (SOC) outreach to encourage return to clinic for patients 14 days late for a scheduled visit in year 1.

REC; Outreach if Failure

Routine education and counseling services, delivered per Kenya Ministry of Health (MOH) Guidelines; followed by SMS text messages for patients and reimbursement at a fixed amount (KSH 400) for transport to the clinic for patients 14 days late for a scheduled visit in year 1.

REC; SMS + Voucher if Failure

REC services, delivered per Kenya MOH Guidelines; followed by Peer Navigator (tailored outreach and support) for patients 14 days late for a scheduled visit

REC; Navigator if Failure

SMS text messages for patients; followed by SOC outreach for patients 14 days late for a scheduled visit

SMS; Outreach if Failure

SMS text messages for patients, followed by SOC outreach for patients 14 days late for a scheduled visit, and discontinuation of SMS text messages if never 14 days late

SMS; Outreach if Failure; Stop SMS if Success

SMS text messages for patients, followed by reimbursement at a fixed amount (KSH 400) for transport to the clinic for patients 14 days late for a scheduled visit in year 1.

SMS; SMS+Voucher if Failure

SMS text messages for patients, followed by reimbursement at a fixed amount (KSH 400) for transport to the clinic for patients 14 days late for a scheduled visit in year 1, and discontinuation of SMS text messages if never 14 days late

SMS; SMS+Voucher if Failure; Stop SMS if Success

SMS text messages for patents, followed by Peer Navigator (tailored outreach and support) for patients 14 days late for a scheduled visit

SMS; Navigator if Failure

SMS text messages for patents, followed by Peer Navigator (tailored outreach and support) for patients 14 days late for a scheduled visit, and discontinuation of SMS text messages if never 14 days late

SMS; Navigator if Failure; Stop SMS if Success

Reimbursement at a fixed amount (KSH 400) for transport to the clinic for patients, followed by SOC outreach for patients 14 days late for a scheduled visit

Voucher; Outreach if Failure

Reimbursement at a fixed amount (KSH 400) for transport to the clinic for patients, followed by SOC outreach for patients 14 days late for a scheduled visit, and discontinuation of voucher for patients if never 14 days late

Voucher; Outreach if Failure; Stop Voucher if Success

Reimbursement at a fixed amount (KSH 400) for transport to the clinic for patients, followed by SMS text message and reimbursement (KSH 400) for transport to the clinic for patients 14 days late for a scheduled visit

Voucher; SMS+Voucher if Failure

Reimbursement at a fixed amount (KSH 400) for transport to the clinic for patients, followed by SMS text message and reimbursement (KSH 400) for transport to the clinic for patients 14 days late for a scheduled visit, and discontinuation of voucher for patients if never 14 days late

Voucher; SMS+Voucher if Failure; Stop Voucher if Success

Reimbursement at a fixed amount (KSH 400) for transport to the clinic for patients, followed by Peer Navigator (tailored outreach and support) for patients 14 days late for a scheduled visit

Voucher; Navigator if Failure

Reimbursement at a fixed amount (KSH 400) for transport to the clinic for patients, followed by Peer Navigator (tailored outreach and support) for patients 14 days late for a scheduled visit, and discontinuation of voucher for patients if never 14 days late

Voucher; Navigator if Failure; Stop Voucher if Success

Eligibility Criteria

Age18 Years+
Sexall
Healthy VolunteersYes
Age GroupsAdult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

  • HIV-infection
  • years old
  • Planning to remain in the study area (Nyanza region) for the duration of the study, capable of informed consent
  • Newly initiating ART (within past 90 days)
  • Access to a cell phone
  • Ability to read or be read SMS messages
  • And willingness to be contacted by clinic upon missed appointment.

You may not qualify if:

  • Plans to move out of Nyanza region or acutely ill and requiring hospitalization.
  • Hospitalized patients who later recover will be eligible for enrolment at the first post-hospitalization clinic visit during which eligibility criteria are met.
  • No access to a cell phone.
  • Involvement in studies with the potential to influence retention behaviors.

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Study Sites (1)

Kenya Medical Research Institute

Kisumu, Nyanza, Kenya

Location

Related Publications (1)

  • Geng EH, Odeny TA, Montoya LM, Iguna S, Kulzer JL, Adhiambo HF, Eshun-Wilson I, Akama E, Nyandieka E, Guze MA, Shade S, Packel L, Fox B, Camlin C, Thirumurthy H, Lyons C, Bukusi EA, Petersen ML. Adaptive Strategies for Retention in Care among Persons Living with HIV. NEJM Evid. 2023 Apr;2(4):10.1056/evidoa2200076. doi: 10.1056/evidoa2200076. Epub 2023 Mar 28.

MeSH Terms

Interventions

Spermine Synthase

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Alkyl and Aryl TransferasesTransferasesEnzymesEnzymes and Coenzymes

Study Officials

  • Elvin Geng, MD

    University of California, San Francisco

    PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
  • Maya Petersen, MD, PhD

    University of California, Berkeley

    PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

Study Type
interventional
Phase
not applicable
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Masking
NONE
Purpose
HEALTH SERVICES RESEARCH
Intervention Model
PARALLEL
Sponsor Type
OTHER
Responsible Party
SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

December 11, 2014

First Posted

January 14, 2015

Study Start

March 1, 2015

Primary Completion

November 1, 2020

Study Completion

November 1, 2020

Last Updated

March 16, 2021

Record last verified: 2021-03

Locations