Co-infection patterns of HIV, hepatitis C, and sexually transmitted infections among rural people who inject drugs during an HIV outbreak
Official title: Patterns of HIV, hepatitis C, and sexually transmitted infections (STI) co-infection among rural people who inject drugs in the context of an ongoing HIV outbreak
Funded at Johns Hopkins University · NIH-11408843 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A small, patient-focused study will look at how HIV, hepatitis C, and other sexually transmitted infections occur together in rural people who inject drugs during an HIV outbreak, and what factors relate to these co-infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Johns Hopkins University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2025 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $194,375 |
| NIH project number | 5R21DA064465-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11408843 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are adults who inject drugs in rural settings and are part of or similar to the HEARTS of WV cohort in Cabell County, West Virginia.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals not at risk of or not engaging in injection drug use in rural settings may not benefit from this study.
What this research studies
This project uses data from an existing group of rural PWID to map how HIV, hepatitis C, and other STIs occur together over time. It will add hepatitis C and STI testing at follow-up visits and analyze the data to find patterns of co-infection. By examining sociodemographic, behavioral, and social network factors, the study aims to identify targets for future interventions to reduce transmission. The findings could guide better prevention and care strategies for people affected by multiple infections in rural communities.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Results could inform more effective prevention, testing, and treatment approaches for people who inject drugs in rural areas.
How similar studies have gone: Other studies using co-infection patterns with HIV, HCV, and STIs have provided insights into transmission dynamics and risk factors, though this specific rural PWID population is less studied.
Where this research is happening
-
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Schneider, Kristin Erica — Johns Hopkins University
- Study coordinator: Schneider, Kristin Erica
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.