Clinical Research Directory
Browse clinical research sites, groups, and studies.
Evaluating the Impact of Using the B-OK Bottles for HIV and ART Literacy in South Africa
Sponsor: University of Pennsylvania
Summary
Consistent use of antiretroviral therapy (ART) is essential for achieving suppression among people with HIV (PWH). Yet despite improvements in access to ART and improving viral suppression rates, an estimated one-third of PWH globally do not take ART as prescribed, thus allowing the virus to remain detectable and transmissible. This study tests whether a low-cost visual education tool, B-OK bottles, improves understanding of HIV, antiretroviral therapy (ART), and the concept of Undetectable = Untransmittable (U=U) among adults in Gauteng, South Africa using a randomized trial. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of three groups: (1) standard-of-care verbal information based on Department of Health guidelines, (2) information delivered in person using B-OK bottles, or (3) information delivered via a video demonstrating the B-OK bottles. The study will compare the two intervention formats to standard care, and to each other, to assess whether the tool improves knowledge, attitudes, and intentions related to HIV treatment and prevention, and whether the intervention results depend on delivery mode (in-person vs. video). Outcomes will be measured at baseline, immediately after the intervention, and at six-week follow-up.
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
18 Years - Any
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
600
Start Date
2026-07-27
Completion Date
2026-11
Last Updated
2026-08-27
Healthy Volunteers
Yes
Conditions
Interventions
B-OK Bead Bottles Intervention (delivered in person)
Participants in this group will receive information about HIV and ART that is communicated using B-OK bottles as visual aids to make the information more salient. The bottles explain how HIV affects a person's health and how ART reduces viral load and eliminates HIV transmission risk.
B-OK Bottles Intervention (delivered by video)
Participants in this group will receive information about HIV and ART in the form of a video that illustrates the B-OK bead bottles and how they work. The video will demonstrate use of the B-OK bead bottles to explain how HIV affects a person's health and how ART reduces viral load and eliminates HIV transmission risk.
Control
Participants enrolled in this group will receive standard-of-care verbal information about HIV and ART based on South African Department of Health guidelines, delivered via standardized script.
Locations (1)
Health Economics and Epidemiology Research Office (HE2RO), University of the Witwatersrand
Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa