Digital tool to reduce HIV-related stigma in Nepal HIV care centers
Official title: Developing and testing a digital health tool for INterseCtional stigma assessment and reduction at multiple Levels and mUltiple DimEnsions (INCLUDE) to improve HIV care in ART centers in Nepal
Funded at University of California, San Francisco · NIH-11578771 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A user-friendly digital tool helps clinics measure and reduce stigma related to HIV, mental health, and other factors to improve care for people living with HIV.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project start | August 5, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $58,005 |
| NIH project number | 3R01TW012682-03S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11578771 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People living with HIV who receive care at ART centers and whose care may be affected by stigma.
✕Less likely to help
Patients in settings where stigma is not a barrier to care or where digital health tools are not feasible may see limited benefit.
What this research studies
This project will create and test a digital health tool designed with input from people living with HIV and healthcare workers. It will include a quick stigma assessment during clinic visits, a dashboard that ties stigma data to care engagement, and a repository of proven stigma-reduction activities tailored to local contexts. The team will pilot the tool in ART centers in Nepal to see if it improves retention in care and viral suppression. The approach emphasizes human-centered design and real-world clinical use to fit into routine practice.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the tool could help clinics identify and address stigma that prevents patients from staying in care and achieving viral suppression.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work suggests that multi-level, stigma-focused digital tools can support care engagement, though this specific integrated approach is being piloted.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Francisco
San Francisco, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Acharya, Bibhav — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Acharya, Bibhav
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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.