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

This protocol builds on nearly a decade of collaborative HIV/STI prevention research to conduct a prospective cohort study of Adolescent Girls and Young Women (AGYW) eligible for PrEP in South Africa in which we will assess the acceptability of point-of-care STI testing plus Expedited Partner Therapy (EPT) and its impact on the incidence of common curable STIs over 12 months of follow-up. The social-behavioral scientist will undertake qualitative interviews with participants and their male partners to identify facilitators and barriers to EPT uptake and conduct a comparative cost analysis to estimate the cost per person tested using point-of-care STI testing with and without EPT incremental to the cost of standard of care. Findings from the proposed research will provide essential knowledge for national policymakers to advance approaches to STI screening and treatment that will lead to improvements in AGYW sexual reproductive health and reductions in STIs. The data generated from this project are essential to inform efforts to reduce the burden of STIs and HIV-1 in women and achieve the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, which includes substantial reductions in HIIV and STIs in key at-risk populations. This project will support global efforts to substantially reduce STIs in key populations.