NCT07117656

Project Vuselela Feasibility

Developing and Pilot Testing Project Vuselela for ART and OST Engagement in Johannesburg, South Africa

• Status: Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 80 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Arizona State University · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

To develop an intervention that engages family members in supporting HIV and opioid substitution therapy treatment for those who inject drugs in South Africa, and then conduct a pilot study to understand feasibility and preliminary impact on outcomes.

Detailed description

In response to increased injection drug use in Johannesburg, South Africa, and low ART and OST treatment retention rates, we will develop and pilot-test the intervention, Project Vuselela. The intervention is designed to engage family members in treatment support using a multi-session skill-building approach that is led by trained peer navigators. Both PLWHIDs and their family members will attend sessions to develop these skills and treatment action plans, facilitated by peer navigators. We will assess PLWHID and family acceptability of the intervention and preliminary impact on PLWHID ART and OST treatment adherence when compared to those in the current program as standard of care. The study will be conducted at Yeoville Clinic in Johannesburg, a setting with high rates of injection drug use and the only OST clinic in the city.

Conditions

• HIV
• Drug Users

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	Project Vuselela	A four session intervention with people who inject drugs and family members. Delivered three group sessions and one dyad session. Session content designed to improve coping and communication skills that will in turn improve treatment outcomes.

Timeline

• Start date: 2025-07-13
• Primary completion: 2027-08-28
• Completion: 2027-08-28
• First posted: 2025-08-12
• Last updated: 2025-08-12

Locations

1 site across 1 country: South Africa