Expanding opioid treatment and HIV care in Central Asia

Expanding Medication Assisted Therapies in Central Asia

NIH-funded research Yale University · NIH-11121850

This project helps clinics in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan offer opioid replacement treatments and HIV medicines to people who inject drugs.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionYale University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (New Haven, United States)
Project IDNIH-11121850 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

You would see researchers working with local clinics and health workers to make methadone or buprenorphine and antiretroviral therapy easier to get. They will use a proven quality-improvement approach (NIATx) and the EPIS framework to identify local barriers, train staff, and change clinic procedures. The team will track how many people start and stay on opioid agonist therapy and HIV treatment and will adapt steps to fit each country’s laws and systems. The aim is to make these services routine and sustainable so more people avoid HIV and keep the virus under control.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates are people who inject drugs or their sexual partners in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, or Tajikistan who are eligible for opioid agonist therapy or HIV care.

Not a fit: People who do not live in these three countries, do not inject drugs, or cannot access participating clinics are unlikely to benefit directly from this project.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, more people who inject drugs in these countries could start and stay on opioid treatment and HIV medicines, lowering new infections and improving health.

How similar studies have performed: NIATx and other implementation programs have increased addiction and HIV treatment uptake in other settings, but applying these methods in Central Asia is relatively new.

Where this research is happening

New Haven, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome VirusAcquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome Virus
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.