HIVITGNCT07382765
In This toGether R01
A study testing Level up quizzes, Badges and On-demand advice in people with HIV, run by Center for Innovative Public Health Research at 1 site in Uganda.
Trial summary
The goal of this study is to assess the effectiveness of the text-based ITG intervention to promote behaviors associated with HIV prevention amongst 18-22 year-olds in Uganda. The main questions the study aims to answer are: 1. In a twelve-month period, does the intervention increase HIV testing and use of condoms? a. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 22 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- HIV
- What is being tested?
- Level up quizzes, Badges and On-demand advice
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 750 participants
- Where
- 1 siteUganda
- Study dates
- 1 Mar 2026to Jun 2028
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 22 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- Live in Uganda
- Age 18 to 22
- Have exclusive ownership of a cell phone
- Have used text messaging for at least 6 months
- Able to read English, Luganda, Runyakitara, or Luo
Who cannot join
- Not participated in preliminary R34 study
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
Uganda1 site
Internet Solutions for Kids Uganda
Mbarara
Edgar Agaba, +256 782 314307, edgar@iskuganda.com
About this study
Official title: In This toGether: Testing a Population-based Text Messaging-based HIV Prevention Program for Young Adults Across Uganda
The goal of this study is to assess the effectiveness of the text-based ITG intervention to promote behaviors associated with HIV prevention amongst 18-22 year-olds in Uganda.
The main questions the study aims to answer are:
Read more
- In a twelve-month period, does the intervention increase HIV testing and use of condoms?
- How do the different interactive elements effect this?
- How is effectiveness different for populations based on education, sex, and location (urban/rural)? Researchers will compare the control group, with no intervention, and the three combinations of the three intervention components: quiz questions, milestone badges, and access to on-demand advice.
Participants will receive the intervention via text messages and partake in the interactive elements listed above.
- Conditions
- HIV
- Being tested
- Level up quizzes, Badges, On-demand advice, Content
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Level up quizzesOther
Participant is given weekly quiz questions on that week's texted content
BadgesOther
Participants can earn badges by performing activities encouraged by program
On-demand adviceOther
Participants have access to ITGenie/Text Buddy, which responds to keywords with preset messages
ContentOther
Texted information about HIV prevention
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Control | No intervention | Not described |
| Quiz and badge | Experimental | Receives quiz and badge interactive elements Receives: Other: Level up quizzes; Other: Badges; Other: Content |
| Bagde and buddy | Experimental | Badges and advice are the only interactive elements Receives: Other: Badges; Other: On-demand advice; Other: Content |
| Quiz and buddy | Experimental | Advice buddy and level up quizzes are only interactive parts of intervention Receives: Other: Level up quizzes; Other: On-demand advice; Other: Content |
| No interactive elements | Experimental | Receives educational content with no interactive elements Receives: Other: Content |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
HIV testing
Binary variable. Was the participant tested for HIV during the study?
Measured: 12 months
Condom-protected sex acts
Self-reported count of condom-protected sex acts during study
Measured: 12 months
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted3 Feb 2026
- Study start1 Mar 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completionJun 2028 (estimated)
- Study completionJun 2028 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (4)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for HIVStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Prevention
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Factorial
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Participant
- Enrolment
- 750 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Center for Innovative Public Health Research
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Makerere University, Internet Solutions for Kids Uganda, National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07382765
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- R01MH136955
- Other IDs
- R01MH136955
- Acronym
- ITG
- Status last verified
- Dec 2025
- First submitted
- 27 Jan 2026
- Last updated
- 3 Feb 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Undecided
Publications
Collins LM, Kugler KC, Gwadz MV. Optimization of Multicomponent Behavioral and Biobehavioral Interventions for the Prevention and Treatment of HIV/AIDS. AIDS Behav. 2016 Jan;20 Suppl 1(0 1):S197-214. doi: 10.1007/s10461-015-1145-4.
PubMed 26238037Ybarra ML, Agaba E, Nyemara N. A Pilot RCT Evaluating InThistoGether, an mHealth HIV Prevention Program for Ugandan Youth. AIDS Behav. 2021 Oct;25(10):3437-3448. doi: 10.1007/s10461-021-03237-5. Epub 2021 May 7.
PubMed 33963477Matovu J, Wanynze R, Kasozi D. Assessment of the implementation processes and outcomes of the HIV assisted partner notification program in Uganda. Kampala: Makerere University School of Public Health. Published online July 2021.
Bogart LM, Musoke W, Mukama CS, Allupo S, Klein DJ, Sejjemba A, Mwima S, Kadama H, Mulebeke R, Pandey R, Wagner Z, Mukasa B, Wanyenze RK. Enhanced Oral Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) Implementation for Ugandan Fisherfolk: Pilot Intervention Outcomes. AIDS Behav. 2024 Oct;28(10):3512-3524. doi: 10.1007/s10461-024-04432-w. Epub 2024 Jul 19.
PubMed 39028385
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 3 Feb 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- In This toGether: Testing a Population-based Text Messaging-based HIV Prevention Program for Young Adults Across Uganda
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07382765
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- ITG / R01MH136955
- Conditions
- HIV
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Not yet recruiting
- Enrolment
- 750 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Center for Innovative Public Health ResearchUniversity, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Makerere University, Internet Solutions for Kids Uganda, National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
- Study start
- 1 Mar 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion
- Jun 2028 (estimated)
- Study completion
- Jun 2028 (estimated)
- First posted
- 3 Feb 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
The goal of this study is to assess the effectiveness of the text-based ITG intervention to promote behaviors associated with HIV prevention amongst 18-22 year-olds in Uganda.
The main questions the study aims to answer are:
- In a twelve-month period, does the intervention increase HIV testing and use of condoms?
- How do the different interactive elements effect this?
- How is effectiveness different for populations based on education, sex, and location (urban/rural)? Researchers will compare the control group, with no intervention, and the three combinations of the three intervention components: quiz questions, milestone badges, and access to on-demand advice.
Participants will receive the intervention via text messages and partake in the interactive elements listed above.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Prevention
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Factorial
- Masking
- Single blind (participant)
- Number of arms
- 5
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Control | No intervention | – |
| Quiz and badge | Experimental | Other: Level up quizzes, Other: Badges, Other: ContentReceives quiz and badge interactive elements |
| Bagde and buddy | Experimental | Other: Badges, Other: On-demand advice, Other: ContentBadges and advice are the only interactive elements |
| Quiz and buddy | Experimental | Other: Level up quizzes, Other: On-demand advice, Other: ContentAdvice buddy and level up quizzes are only interactive parts of intervention |
| No interactive elements | Experimental | Other: ContentReceives educational content with no interactive elements |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 22 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (5 listed)
- Live in Uganda
- Age 18 to 22
- Have exclusive ownership of a cell phone
- Have used text messaging for at least 6 months
- Able to read English, Luganda, Runyakitara, or Luo
Key exclusion criteria (1 listed)
- Not participated in preliminary R34 study
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Level up quizzesParticipant is given weekly quiz questions on that week's texted content | Other | Quiz and badge, Quiz and buddy |
| BadgesParticipants can earn badges by performing activities encouraged by program | Other | Bagde and buddy, Quiz and badge |
| On-demand adviceParticipants have access to ITGenie/Text Buddy, which responds to keywords with preset messages | Other | Bagde and buddy, Quiz and buddy |
| ContentTexted information about HIV prevention | Other | Bagde and buddy, No interactive elements, Quiz and badge, Quiz and buddy |
Primary outcome
HIV testing
Time frame: 12 months
Binary variable. Was the participant tested for HIV during the study?
Condom-protected sex acts
Time frame: 12 months
Self-reported count of condom-protected sex acts during study
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 3 Feb 2026.
- Background: PubMed 26238037Collins LM, Kugler KC, Gwadz MV. Optimization of Multicomponent Behavioral and Biobehavioral Interventions for the Prevention and Treatment of HIV/AIDS. AIDS Behav. 2016 Jan;20 Suppl 1(0 1):S197-214. doi: 10.1007/s10461-015-1145-4.
- Background: PubMed 33963477Ybarra ML, Agaba E, Nyemara N. A Pilot RCT Evaluating InThistoGether, an mHealth HIV Prevention Program for Ugandan Youth. AIDS Behav. 2021 Oct;25(10):3437-3448. doi: 10.1007/s10461-021-03237-5. Epub 2021 May 7.
- BackgroundMatovu J, Wanynze R, Kasozi D. Assessment of the implementation processes and outcomes of the HIV assisted partner notification program in Uganda. Kampala: Makerere University School of Public Health. Published online July 2021.
- Background: PubMed 39028385Bogart LM, Musoke W, Mukama CS, Allupo S, Klein DJ, Sejjemba A, Mwima S, Kadama H, Mulebeke R, Pandey R, Wagner Z, Mukasa B, Wanyenze RK. Enhanced Oral Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) Implementation for Ugandan Fisherfolk: Pilot Intervention Outcomes. AIDS Behav. 2024 Oct;28(10):3512-3524. doi: 10.1007/s10461-024-04432-w. Epub 2024 Jul 19.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Undecided
Related trials for HIV
RecruitingObservational study
Olfactory Function and Model-Based Behavior in People Living With HIV and SUD
HIV, Substance Use Disorder
Not yet recruiting
Adapting the ESTEEM Intervention to Improve Mental Health and PrEP Uptake Among Men at Risk of HIV
PrEP Use
RecruitingPhase 2
Evaluating the Safety and Immunogenicity of MTBVAC
HIV I Infection, Tuberculosis
Active, not recruiting
Evaluating the Effectiveness of a Mobile HIV Prevention App to Increase HIV and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) Testing and PrEP Initiation Among Rural Men Who Have Sex With Men
HIV Infections, STI
Not yet recruiting
PNF RCT to Decrease Alcohol Use and Increase HIV Prevention
HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus), Alcohol Misuse
Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Level up quizzes, Badges and On-demand advice in people with HIV, run by Center for Innovative Public Health Research at 1 site in Uganda.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 5 inclusion and 1 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: opening soon, as of the sponsor's last update on 3 Feb 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Uganda. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Each site lists its own contact: choose the nearest one under Trial locations. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
HIV testing (time frame: 12 months). The study lists 2 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT07382765, which also lists 4 linked publications.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 3 Feb 2026.