Clinical trials

Many people who are experiencing homelessness are at high risk for HIV, but they often have trouble getting HIV prevention or treatment. Testing may be offered where they are, but starting medication usually requires going to a clinic somewhere else, and many people are not able to make that second trip. This study tests a program called CONNECT. In CONNECT, a community health worker and a nurse offer HIV services directly at homeless shelters. People can take an HIV self-test on-site. If the test is negative and the person is at risk for HIV, the nurse can start them the same day on a prevention medicine called PrEP. If the test is positive, the nurse can help them start HIV treatment quickly and connect to ongoing care. The study will compare this on-site program to the usual approach of referring people elsewhere, to see whether it helps more people start HIV prevention or treatment on time.