TwySHE - An Mhealth Peer-navigator Intervention to Increase PrEP and Contraceptive Use Among Sexually Active Female University Students in Zambia: Study Protocol of a Hybrid Effectiveness-implementation Randomized Controlled Trial
The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if the TwySHE intervention can increase the use of HIV prevention in at-risk female university students aged 18-24 in Zambia. The main question it aims to answer is: • Can a mhealth peer navigator intervention effectively promote HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis PrEP use among high-risk female students in Zambia? Researchers will compare the mhealth peer navigator intervention to treatment as usual to see if there are effects on female student's use and continuation of PrEP for HIV prevention. Participants in the intervention will be paired with a trained peer navigator who will offer education, social support, and help navigating the health systems to access PrEP and other sexual and reproductive health services. All participants in both arms will complete surveys at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months to evaluate health behaviors.
• Female
• Aged 18 to 24 years
• Current university student
• Not diagnosed with HIV
• Self-report of 3 more HIV risk factors