Randomized Controlled Trial of Game Changers

Controlled Trial of Game Changers: A Group Intervention to Train HIV Clients to be Change Agents for HIV Prevention in Uganda

The study is a randomized controlled trial (RCT) of Game Changers, an 8-session peer-led group intervention that aims to empower and mobilize people living with HIV (PLWH) to be agents for HIV prevention in their social networks.

This RCT of Game Changers, a peer-led group intervention for persons living with HIV (PLWH) in Uganda, will test intervention effects on the primary outcomes of reduced condomless sex, increased HIV testing, and decreased enacted HIV stigma among social network members. We will recruit 210 PLWH, randomizing 105 to the intervention and 105 to an attention control. Each PLWH will be asked to recruit up to 4 social network members to complete assessments (736 total, 368/arm). All participants will complete surveys at baseline and 6-, 12-, and 18-months post-baseline.

Inclusion Criteria:

• age 18 years and older
• HIV-positive
• in HIV care at The Infectious DIseases Institute for at least one year

Exclusion Criteria:

• Participated in the prior pilot study of the intervention.
• Has significant cognitive impairment
• Health status is not sufficiently stable to reliably complete 18 month study.
• Does not speak Luganda fluently (index participant); English or Luganda fluently (social network participant)
• spouse/partner or household member are enrolled as index participant in the study