Peer-Delivered HIV Self-Testing, Sexually Transmitted Infection Self-Sampling, and Pre-exposure Prophylaxis for Transgender Women in Uganda: A Randomized Trial

Background: Peer-delivered HIV self-testing (HIVST) and sexually transmitted infection self-sampling (STISS) may promote adherence to oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), but no studies have analyzed this approach among transgender women (TGW) in sub-Saharan Africa. Setting: The Peer study was a cluster randomized trial in Uganda (October 2020–July 2022; NCT04328025). Methods: Ten TGW peer groups, each with 1 TGW peer and 8 TGW, were randomized 1:1 to receive quarterly in-clinic HIV testing with PrEP refills as standard-of-care (SOC) or SOC plus monthly peer delivery of oral-fluid HIVST, STISS, and PrEP refills (intervention). Participants were followed for 12 months. The primary outcome was PrEP adherence. Results: We screened 85 TGW and enrolled 82 (41 per arm). The median age was 22 years (interquartile range IQR 20–24). Twelve-month retention was 88% (72/82). At the 3, 6, 9, and 12-month clinic visits, 10%, 5%, 5%, and 0% of TGW in the intervention arm had TFV-DP levels ≥700 fmol/punch, versus 7%, 15%, 7%, and 2% in the SOC arm, respectively ( P = 0.18). At all visits, any detectable TFV-DP levels were significantly higher in SOC than the peer delivery group ( P 10 years of schooling (incidence rate ratio 2.35; 95% CI: 1.14 to 4.84). There was a strong correlation between tenofovir detection in dried blood spots and urine ( P < 0.001). No HIV seroconversions occurred. Conclusions: Peer-delivered HIVST and STISS did not increase low levels of oral PrEP adherence among TGW in Uganda. Long-acting PrEP formulations should be considered for this population.