Top

Wits RHI

ARISE Study

Sexual and Reproductive Health

ARISE: Acceptability Research on Integrated Point of Care Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) Testing and Expedited Partner Therapy (EPT)

Rationale

Rates of curable sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are rising globally, with South Africa experiencing some of the highest STI rates. Additionally, South Africa has the highest HIV-1 incidence, particularly among young women aged 15-24 years. While oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) has proven to be a highly effective HIV-1 prevention tool, it does not prevent other STIs. Untreated STIs can also increase susceptibility to HIV-1 infection.

In 2019, the World Health Organization (WHO) emphasized the need to optimize PrEP programs to also address STIs, particularly among key populations such as adolescent girls and young women (AGYW). This study supports global and national efforts to reduce STIs in key populations, aligning with the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (goal 3.3) and South Africa’s National Strategic Plan for HIV, Tuberculosis, and STIs 2017-2022 (goal #1).

This multidisciplinary study will evaluate the effectiveness of point-of-care (POC) STI screening combined with expedited partner therapy (EPT) for AGYW using PrEP. The results aim to guide clinicians and policymakers in improving STI screening and treatment, reducing persistent STIs, and enhancing the sexual and reproductive health of AGYW.

Primary Objectives

  • Estimate the incidence of STIs (Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, and Trichomonas vaginalis) among AGYW initiating PrEP who received POC STI testing plus EPT versus those who received POC STI testing but declined EPT.
  • Assess the acceptability of POC STI testing plus EPT among AGYW initiating PrEP and their partners who received EPT, and evaluate its impact on social harms.
  • Evaluate the response and acceptability of male partners who received EPT.
  • Estimate the cost of implementing rapid POC STI testing and EPT for AGYW in South Africa using PrEP compared to standard syndromic management.

Investigators

Wits RHI

  • Prof Thesla Palanee-Phillips, Co-Principal Investigator
  • Dr Nkosiphile Ndlovu, Co-Investigator
  • Krishnaveni Reddy, Co-Investigator

University of Washington

  • Assistant Prof Jennifer Balkus, Co-Principal Investigator
  • Assistant Prof Jennifer Ross, Co-Investigator

University of California

  • Dr Jennifer Velloza, Co-Investigator

Latest Update

March 2024

For more details about ARISE Study please email rhicomms@wrhi.ac.za

Click here for further details regarding the ARISE study.

Research Brief

ARISE Study