Journal article
AEGIDA: Results of a Pilot Randomized Trial of an HIV Self-Testing Intervention for Women Who Exchange Sex and Use Substances in Kazakhstan
AIDS and behavior, v 30(3), pp 655-667
01 Mar 2026
PMID: 41177842
Featured in Collection : UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel
Abstract
HIV self-testing (HST) is a user-controlled approach to increasing HIV testing and status knowledge, the gateway to biomedical prevention and treatment. HST is a promising option for key populations facing stigma-related barriers to testing in primary and specialty (e.g., HIV, substance use) healthcare clinics. We conducted a pilot efficacy trial of AEGIDA, a 4-session intervention designed for women who exchange sex and use substances, in Kazakhstan, where there is a growing HIV epidemic. Between November 2022 and August 2023, we used community-engaged approaches to recruit and screen 305 HIV-negative cisgender and transgender women (47% eligible). Ninety participants were enrolled and randomized in a 2:1 assignment to the active (AEGIDA) or a time-attention control (didactic self-screening information) condition with 6 months of follow-up. AEGIDA's theoretically grounded sessions included evidence-based techniques to reduce internalized intersectional stigma and build HST skills to increase HIV testing (e.g., motivational interviewing, peer education, and cognitive restructuring). Sessions were delivered face-to-face and via videoconference, with a closed Instagram page for active condition participants to access content on demand. The intent-to-treat analysis found that participants randomized to AEGIDA were over 4 times more likely to complete a recent HIV test (1 + test in the prior three months; aOR = 4.08, 95% CI: 1.22,13.62) at 6-month follow-up compared to control participants. The intervention had no significant impact on consistent HIV testing (1 + test per three months over the six-month follow-up period; aOR = 2.02, 95%CI: 0.69-5.88). Overall, the AEGIDA intervention demonstrated feasibility and acceptability, and preliminary efficacy to increase recent HIV testing.NCT Information NCT06150937.
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Details
- Title
- AEGIDA: Results of a Pilot Randomized Trial of an HIV Self-Testing Intervention for Women Who Exchange Sex and Use Substances in Kazakhstan
- Creators
- Brooke S. West - Columbia Univ, Columbia Sch Social Work, New York, NY 10027 USAMeruyert Darisheva - Global Health Research Center of Central AsiaTara McCrimmon - Columbia Univ, Mailman Sch Publ Hlth, New York, NY USAMingway Chang - Columbia UniversityNatalya Zholnerova - Zhetysu University named after Ilyas ZhansugurovEkaterina Grigorchuk - Friends UnitedLaura Starbird - University of PennsylvaniaAssel Terlikbayeva - Columbia Univ, Columbia Sch Social Work, New York, NY 10027 USASholpan Primbetova - Columbia Univ, Columbia Sch Social Work, New York, NY 10027 USAOlivia Cordingley - Drexel University, Dana and David Dornsife School of Public HealthBaurzhan Baiserkin - Kazakh Institute of Oncology and RadiologySayrankul Kassymbekova - Kazakh Institute of Oncology and RadiologyZhannat Mussina - Kazakh Institute of Oncology and RadiologyIssakhan Rashidov - Atatürk UniversityLouisa Gilbert - Columbia UniversityNabila El-Bassel - Columbia Univ, Columbia Sch Social Work, New York, NY 10027 USAVictoria Frye - New York Academy of MedicineTransdocha
- Publication Details
- AIDS and behavior, v 30(3), pp 655-667
- Publisher
- Springer Nature
- Number of pages
- 13
- Grant note
- R34 DA049664 / National Institute on Drug Abuse; United States Department of Health & Human Services; National Institutes of Health (NIH) - USA; NIH National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Dana and David Dornsife School of Public Health
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:001605520400001
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-105022602722
- Other Identifier
- 991022170454204721
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- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- International collaboration
- Web of Science research areas
- Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
- Social Sciences, Biomedical