Helping people with HIV stay in care after being released from prison in South Africa
Official title: Structured Peer-delivered ART and Reentry Community Strategy (SPARCS) to overcome barriers to HIV care continuity during community reentry from incarceration in South Africa
Funded at Johns Hopkins University · NIH-10916548 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is all about helping people with HIV who have just been released from jail in South Africa stay on track with their treatment and support, using friendly peer-led groups to make it easier for them to adjust back into the community.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Johns Hopkins University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $527,030 |
| NIH project number | 5R01MH131445-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10916548 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals aged 21 and older who have recently been released from incarceration and are living with HIV.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not recently released from incarceration or those who do not have HIV may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on improving the continuity of HIV care for individuals who have recently been released from incarceration in South Africa. It utilizes a peer-delivered approach to provide antiretroviral therapy (ART) and support, helping participants navigate the challenges of reentering the community. The program includes group sessions led by peers to enhance behavioral skills and build social support, addressing barriers to accessing healthcare services. The goal is to increase the percentage of individuals who remain engaged in HIV care after their release.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve health outcomes for individuals with HIV by ensuring they receive continuous care after incarceration.
How similar studies have gone: Previous pilot studies have shown promising results with similar peer-led interventions, indicating potential for successful scale-up.
Where this research is happening
-
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hoffmann, Christopher J — Johns Hopkins University
- Study coordinator: Hoffmann, Christopher J
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.