HIV prevention and screening

This research project aimed to explore the feasibility of using a mobile phone based SMS text-messaging intervention to increase uptake of HIV testing amongst African communities in Nottingham. The study adopted a mixed methods approach drawing upon participatory intervention design principles. Formative qualitative research informed intervention development. The main intervention utilized a longitudinal one group comparison design with data collected at two time points (baseline and 3 weeks post-intervention). This was followed by a qualitative evaluation which explored intervention acceptability and mechanisms. This study is the result of a collaborative effort between the University of Nottingham and the Universita’ della Svizzera italiana.