Hair salons offer more than a trim: HIV prevention and birth control on offer

NCT ID NCT04222504

Completed Prevention Sponsor: Massachusetts General Hospital Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This pilot study tested whether offering sexual health services like HIV prevention pills (PrEP), STI testing, and birth control in hair salons could reach women who might not visit a clinic. About 436 women in Umlazi, South Africa, took part. Some salons offered these services, while a control salon did not. The goal was to see if women would use the services and come back for follow-up visits.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: PrEP (tenofovir/emtricitabine), hormonal birth control (oral, injectable), STI testing
What this could lead to: If successful, this approach could make it easier for women to access HIV prevention and family planning in familiar, convenient places like hair salons.
What could go wrong: This is a small pilot study, so results may not apply to other communities. It only measures whether women choose to use the services, not long-term health outcomes.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

Contraception Behavior sexually transmitted disease HIV infectious disease prevention target

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

CONTRACEPTIVE USAGE PRE EXPOSURE PROPHYLAXIS STI

Contacts and locations

Locations

Adrenergy Research Innovations

Durban, South Africa

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Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.