Improving HIV prevention and HCV care for people who inject drugs using telehealth
Official title: Trauma-informed, resilience-based telehealth intervention for improving HIV prevention and HCV care for persons who inject drugs in the Deep South
Funded at University of Georgia · NIH-11018631 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking to help people who inject drugs and are at risk for HIV and Hepatitis C by finding out what makes it hard or easy for them to get the care they need, especially in rural areas, and it will use telehealth to support them in accessing prevention and treatment options.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Georgia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Athens, United States) |
| Project start | February 15, 2024 |
| Project end | January 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $188,417 |
| NIH project number | 5K01DA059329-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11018631 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who inject drugs and live in rural areas of Georgia and South Carolina.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not inject drugs or those living outside the targeted rural areas may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on individuals who inject drugs and are at high risk for HIV and Hepatitis C Virus due to unsafe practices. It aims to understand the barriers and facilitators these individuals face in accessing HIV prevention and HCV care, particularly in rural areas of the Deep South. By utilizing telehealth interventions, the project seeks to promote the uptake of HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) and medications for opioid use disorder. The approach is trauma-informed and resilience-based, addressing the impact of adverse childhood experiences on health behaviors.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve access to HIV prevention and HCV care for vulnerable populations, ultimately reducing infection rates.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that telehealth interventions can effectively improve access to care for marginalized populations, indicating potential success for this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Georgia
Athens, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Haider, Mohammad Rifat — University of Georgia
- Study coordinator: Haider, Mohammad Rifat
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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.