Bridges2Scale: Testing Implementation Strategies for an Economic Empowerment Intervention Among Young People Orphaned by AIDS
The goal of this clinical trial is to compare two multifaceted strategies (standard vs enhanced) for scaling Bridges in a two-arm Hybrid III effectiveness-implementation cluster randomized controlled trial (RCT) in adolescent and youths affected by AIDS \[AYaAIDS\] (ages 11-17 years) from 48 schools in the Greater Masaka region of Uganda. The main aims of the clinical trial are: Aim 1. Compare the implementation effectiveness of the standard implementation strategy vs. an enhanced implementation strategy. The investigators will assess fidelity to Bridges (primary implementation outcome) and sustainment of Bridges (exploratory implementation outcome). Aim 2. Determine the clinical effectiveness of Bridges implemented via a standard vs. enhanced implementation strategy. Aim 3: Explore implementation processes, mechanisms, and determinants. Aim 4. Compare the cost and cost-effectiveness of the two implementation strategies. Using an activity-based ingredients approach, the investigators will examine how much each strategy costs to achieve a unit of effect.
⁃ Adolescent inclusion criteria:
• Ages 11-17
• a student at one of the 48 public primary schools included in the study-schools located in high HIV/AIDS prevalence areas in the greater Masaka region
• living within a family and not an institution/orphanage
⁃ Caregiver inclusion criteria:
• self-identified and confirmed by the adolescent and youth as primary caregiver of the adolescent and youth
• capable of providing informed consent
⁃ Youth-serving NGOs inclusion criteria:
• registered with the government of Uganda
• willing to work with the study team
• have a history of implementing micro-finance economic empowerment interventions.