Reducing stigma around drug use to improve HIV services for affected communities

STRIDES (Strategies To Reduce Intersectional Drug usE Stigma): A mixed-methods, human-centered approach to address barriers to HIV services

NIH-funded research Research Triangle Institute · NIH-10394383

This study is looking at how negative feelings about drug use can make it harder for African Americans in the Southern U.S. to get the HIV prevention and care they need, and it aims to find ways to help improve access to these important services.

Quick facts

Grant typeR21 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionResearch Triangle Institute NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Research Triangle Park, United States)
Project IDNIH-10394383 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates how stigma related to drug use affects African Americans' engagement with HIV prevention and care services in the Southern United States. By employing mixed methods, the project aims to understand the barriers caused by drug use stigma and develop targeted interventions to reduce these barriers. The goal is to create an evidence-based program that can be implemented in healthcare settings to improve access to HIV services for those impacted by drug use. The research will involve gathering qualitative and quantitative data to inform the development of effective stigma-reduction strategies.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are African American individuals who use drugs and are engaged in or seeking HIV prevention and care services.

Not a fit: Patients who do not identify as African American or who do not use drugs may not receive direct benefits from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved access to HIV services for African Americans who use drugs, ultimately reducing health disparities in this population.

How similar studies have performed: Previous interventions aimed at reducing HIV-related stigma in healthcare settings have shown positive outcomes, indicating that similar approaches may be effective in addressing drug use stigma.

Where this research is happening

Research Triangle Park, 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.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 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.