Testing a bottle-based teaching tool to explain HIV and its treatment in South Africa
Tests B-OK bottles for teaching HIV treatment to adults in South Africa.
Plain-language title generated from the registry record
Registry title: Evaluating the Impact of Using the B-OK Bottles for HIV and ART Literacy in South Africa
Key facts
- Where
- Johannesburg, South AfricaSee the site
Where in South Africa
- Health Economics and Epidemiology Research Office (HE2RO), University of the WitwatersrandJohannesburg, South AfricaTaking people
Questions to ask the study team
- How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
- Are travel costs paid?
- Can I keep my own doctor?
- What happens if I want to stop?
Trial details
- Who runs it
- University of Pennsylvania
- Trial code
- NCT07703891
- Record updated
- 6 November 2026
- Original description
Consistent use of antiretroviral therapy (ART) is essential for achieving suppression among people with HIV (PWH). Yet despite improvements in access to ART and improving viral suppression rates, an estimated one-third of PWH globally do not take ART as prescribed, thus allowing the virus to remain detectable and transmissible. This study tests whether a low-cost visual education tool, B-OK bottles, improves understanding of HIV, antiretroviral therapy (ART), and the concept of Undetectable = Untransmittable (U=U) among adults in Gauteng, South Africa using a randomized trial. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of three groups: (1) standard-of-care verbal information based on Department of Health guidelines, (2) information delivered in person using B-OK bottles, or (3) information delivered via a video demonstrating the B-OK bottles. The study will compare the two intervention formats to standard care, and to each other, to assess whether the tool improves knowledge, attitudes, and intentions related to HIV treatment and prevention, and whether the intervention results depend on delivery mode (in-person vs. video). Outcomes will be measured at baseline, immediately after the intervention, and at six-week follow-up.Read full original descriptionShow less
Evaluating the Impact of Using the B-OK Bottles for HIV and ART Literacy in South Africa
Consistent use of antiretroviral therapy (ART) is essential for achieving suppression among people with HIV (PWH). Yet despite improvements in access to ART and improving viral suppression rates, an estimated one-third of PWH globally do not take ART as prescribed, thus allowing the virus to remain detectable and transmissible. This study tests whether a low-cost visual education tool, B-OK bottles, improves understanding of HIV, antiretroviral therapy (ART), and the concept of Undetectable = Untransmittable (U=U) among adults in Gauteng, South Africa using a randomized trial. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of three groups: (1) standard-of-care verbal information based on Department of Health guidelines, (2) information delivered in person using B-OK bottles, or (3) information delivered via a video demonstrating the B-OK bottles. The study will compare the two intervention formats to standard care, and to each other, to assess whether the tool improves knowledge, attitudes, and intentions related to HIV treatment and prevention, and whether the intervention results depend on delivery mode (in-person vs. video). Outcomes will be measured at baseline, immediately after the intervention, and at six-week follow-up.
Inclusion: Aged 18 years or older; Residing in Gauteng; Able to understand and communicate in English or another study-supported language; Willing to attend an in-person study visit at the HE2RO offices; Willing to provide contact details for follow-up at six weeks.
Exclusion: Unwilling or unable to provide written informed consent for study participation.