Community-based Venues for Delivery of Healthcare Services: Proof of Concept Pilot

Community-based Venues for Delivery of Healthcare Services in Umlazi, South Africa: Proof of Concept Pilot Conducted in Hair Salons

The investigators propose to offer a package of evidence-based health services to women in two hair salons in the Umlazi township of Durban. Based on community feedback in previous survey and qualitative work, the package has been designed to include daily PrEP, family planning/contraceptives, and STI screening. Interested salon clients at intervention salons will elect which services to use. An additional salon will serve as control, offering no health services to clients. Surveys will be conducted in both salon groups. Attendance at follow-up visits for monitoring and medication refill will be encouraged using text message reminders, WhatsApp support groups, and lottery-based incentives for free salon services. Recruitment in intervention salons will conclude when 100 clients uptake PrEP, not inclusive of clients who enroll at intervention salons who accept other services through the study. Approximately 250 participants will be recruited in control salons. The study team anticipates an overall total enrollment of 500.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Female
• 18 years or older
• English or Zulu speaking
• Able and willing to consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• Symptoms of acute HIV viral syndrome
• Known pregnancy at baseline