PArtner-provided HIV Self-Testing and Linkage (PASTAL) in antenatal care clinics: methodology and delivery of an adaptive cluster-randomised trial in Blantyre, Malawi

Augustine is a statistical epidemiologist with an interest in statistical methods and public health trials. During his Fellowship he aims to develop the statistical methodology to allow adaptive-trial concepts to be applied to clustered units of randomisation (cluster-randomised trials). He then aims to apply these methodologies in a phase-two trial, comparing multiple different approaches (such as low-to-high fixed financial incentives, lottery prize draws, home visits) aimed at encouraging male partners of pregnant women to test for HIV and subsequently link into HIV care or prevention (voluntary male medical circumcision). Adaptive trial designs can provide timely and efficient comparisons of multiple interventions in a single study.

This grant was awarded under the scheme's previous name of Training Fellowships in Public Health and Tropical Medicine.