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

NCT ID NCT04222504

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.

Disclaimer Read more

This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

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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.

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • Adrenergy Research Innovations

    Durban, South Africa