Helping men with HIV in fishing communities reduce heavy drinking and stay on HIV meds

Reducing hazardous alcohol use and optimizing treatment as prevention among men living with HIV in risk environments

NIH-funded research San Diego State University · NIH-11159678

This project offers counseling plus a cash-management approach to help men with HIV in Lake Victoria fishing communities drink less and keep their HIV virus undetectable by improving medication use.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionSan Diego State University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (San Diego, United States)
Project IDNIH-11159678 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

You would be part of a randomized trial testing Kisoboka, a program that combines motivational interviewing with behavioral-economics strategies and a structural 'reduce cash on hand' element to lower hazardous drinking. The trial will enroll about 716 men living with HIV in fishing communities and use a factorial design to see which components drive benefit. Alcohol use will be measured with surveys (AUDIT-C) and a blood biomarker (PEth), and HIV outcomes will include antiretroviral adherence and viral load. Study visits and follow-up will occur in the Lake Victoria fishing communities where the program is delivered.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates are men living with HIV who drink heavily and live in fishing communities around Lake Victoria in Uganda.

Not a fit: People who are not men, who do not live in those fishing communities, or who do not have hazardous alcohol use are unlikely to benefit from this specific program.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the program could reduce heavy drinking and improve HIV treatment adherence, helping more people reach and maintain undetectable viral loads.

How similar studies have performed: A prior pilot randomized trial of Kisoboka showed early reductions in self-reported drinking, lower PEth biomarker levels, and a protective effect on ART adherence through six months, but this larger factorial trial is needed to confirm which parts work best.

Where this research is happening

San Diego, 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 2026-06-10 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.