Reducing HIV stigma and risk for people who inject drugs in Kyrgyzstan
Reducing HIV-related Intersectional Stigma and Risk among People who Inject Drugs in a High Risk International Setting
This project will adapt a stigma‑reduction program to help people who inject drugs in Kyrgyzstan feel less judged and better access HIV prevention and treatment like clean syringes, methadone, and PrEP.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Diego NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11363267 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would be invited to join stigma‑reduction activities co‑designed with local peers, providers, and researchers to make services easier to use. The team will use the ADAPT‑ITT framework to tailor proven stigma‑reduction approaches to the Kyrgyz context, pilot them, and refine them based on participant feedback. The program targets stigma related to HIV, drug use, and methadone so people feel safer using syringe service programs, methadone treatment, and PrEP. Study staff will track changes in reported stigma, use of HIV services, and HIV risk behaviors over time.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants are adults who currently inject drugs in Kyrgyzstan and who have experienced HIV‑ or drug‑related stigma or barriers to care.
Not a fit: People who do not inject drugs, live outside Kyrgyzstan, or are already fully engaged with local HIV prevention and treatment services may not gain direct benefit from participation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could make it easier for people who inject drugs in Kyrgyzstan to access HIV prevention and care and help reduce new infections.
How similar studies have performed: Stigma‑reduction programs have improved service uptake in other settings, but tailoring this approach for people who inject drugs in the Eastern Europe and Central Asia region is newly applied and less tested.
Where this research is happening
La Jolla, United States
- University of California, San Diego — La Jolla, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Smith, Laramie Rae — University of California, San Diego
- Study coordinator: Smith, Laramie Rae
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.