Peer support and community ART for people with HIV leaving prison in South Africa
Structured Peer-delivered ART and Reentry Community Strategy (SPARCS) to overcome barriers to HIV care continuity during community reentry from incarceration in South Africa
This project uses peer-led support groups plus direct delivery of HIV medication to help people with HIV stay on treatment after leaving prison in South Africa.
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 ID | NIH-11386229 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
After release from incarceration, participants are offered peer-facilitated group sessions that build planning, self-efficacy, and social support while bypassing clinic barriers by providing ART directly in the community. The program compares people who receive the SPARCS peer-and-ART delivery approach with those getting usual care and follows them for months after reentry to see who stays in care and on treatment. Study staff will also collect data on costs, feasibility, and the practical needs to scale the program across settings in South Africa.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults living with HIV who are being released from incarceration in South Africa and who are at risk of dropping out of HIV care are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People not recently released from incarceration, those already stably engaged in clinic-based HIV care, or people needing specialized inpatient services may not directly benefit from this program.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the approach could help more people leaving prison remain on HIV treatment, reduce HIV-related deaths, and make community-based ART delivery easier to expand.
How similar studies have performed: A prior pilot of SPARCS showed higher 6-month retention (61% vs 36%) compared with usual care, but larger, more definitive trials are needed.
Where this research is happening
Baltimore, United States
- 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 below.