Choice overload? HIV patients pick their own care path in new study
NCT ID NCT07439562
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study explores whether letting people choose their own HIV support method helps them stay in care. 140 adults starting or restarting HIV treatment in Cape Town will be randomly assigned to standard care, in-person group support, or a choice of in-person, WhatsApp group, or an AI chatbot. The goal is to see if offering choices improves engagement and health outcomes.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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About 140 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Expected to start
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Feb 2026
An estimate. Start dates often move.
- Expected to finish
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Aug 2026
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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18 years and older
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Adults aged 18 years or older * Living with HIV * Starting ART for the first time or restarting ART after an interruption of at least three months * Eligible to start or restart ART based on local guidelines * Clinically stable (no acute illness or evidence of TB/meningitis) * English or isiXhosa speaking * Willing and able to provide informed consent to participate. Exclusion Criteria: \- Pregnancy at the time of enrolment
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Genom att skicka in godkänner du våra Användarvillkor
Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The places running it
1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Gugulethu Community Health Centre
Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa
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Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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