B Hensen1, M Phiri2, A Schaap3, S Floyd4, M Simuyaba2, L Mwenge2, L Sigande2, S Belemu2, K Shanaube2, M Simwinga2, S Fidler5, R Hayes4, H Ayles6. 1. Clinical Research Department, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom. Electronic address: Bernadette.hensen@lshtm.ac.uk. 2. Zambart, Lusaka, Zambia. 3. Zambart, Lusaka, Zambia; Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom. 4. Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom. 5. Imperial College and Imperial College NIHR BRC, London, United Kingdom. 6. Clinical Research Department, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom; Zambart, Lusaka, Zambia.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: In sub-Saharan Africa, the growing population of adolescents and young people aged 15 to 24 face a high burden of HIV, and other preventable and treatable sexually transmitted infections. Despite this burden, adolescents and young people are the population least served by available sexual and reproductive (SRH) services. This trial aims to evaluate the impact of community-based peer-led SRH services, combined with a novel incentivised "loyalty card" system, on knowledge of HIV status and coverage of SRH services. METHODS: A cluster-randomised trial (CRT) with embedded process and economic evaluation. DISCUSSION: With little available evidence of the impact of community-based, peer-led services on coverage of SRH services, our study will provide evidence critical to expanding our knowledge of how to reach adolescents and young people. The "loyalty card" system is also a novel approach to providing SRH services. The delivery of community-based services supported by incentives in the form of loyalty cards is innovative, and may prove a simple strategy to improve access to SRH services. Adolescents and young people remain underserved by available SRH services; there remains a critical need to identify ways to provide adolescents and young people with access to SRH services. Rigorous evidence of whether this innovative strategy, with strong links to the local health facility, increases coverage of critical SRH services would add to the evidence-base of how to reach adolescents and young people.
BACKGROUND: In sub-Saharan Africa, the growing population of adolescents and young people aged 15 to 24 face a high burden of HIV, and other preventable and treatable sexually transmitted infections. Despite this burden, adolescents and young people are the population least served by available sexual and reproductive (SRH) services. This trial aims to evaluate the impact of community-based peer-led SRH services, combined with a novel incentivised "loyalty card" system, on knowledge of HIV status and coverage of SRH services. METHODS: A cluster-randomised trial (CRT) with embedded process and economic evaluation. DISCUSSION: With little available evidence of the impact of community-based, peer-led services on coverage of SRH services, our study will provide evidence critical to expanding our knowledge of how to reach adolescents and young people. The "loyalty card" system is also a novel approach to providing SRH services. The delivery of community-based services supported by incentives in the form of loyalty cards is innovative, and may prove a simple strategy to improve access to SRH services. Adolescents and young people remain underserved by available SRH services; there remains a critical need to identify ways to provide adolescents and young people with access to SRH services. Rigorous evidence of whether this innovative strategy, with strong links to the local health facility, increases coverage of critical SRH services would add to the evidence-base of how to reach adolescents and young people.
Authors: Hensen B; Gondwe M; Phiri M; Schaap A; Simuyaba M; Floyd S; Mwenge L; Sigande L; Shanaube K; Simwinga M; Fidler S; Hayes R; Ayles H Journal: BMC Public Health Date: 2022-03-21 Impact factor: 3.295
Authors: Mwelwa Muleba Phiri; Bernadette Hensen; Ab Schaap; Lucheka Sigande; Melvin Simuyaba; Musonda Simwinga; Sian Floyd; Sarah Fidler; Richard Hayes; Helen Ayles Journal: BMC Health Serv Res Date: 2022-04-14 Impact factor: 2.655