Reducing stigma to help women with HIV who use drugs stay in care
Adaptation and evaluation of an intervention to increase HIV care engagement among women who use drugs
This project adapts group sessions to help women with HIV who use drugs in Ukraine reduce stigma and stay engaged in HIV care.
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-11161585 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
We will adapt a small-group, multi-session program to address both HIV-related and drug-use stigma experienced by women living with HIV who use drugs in Ukraine. Sessions will teach cognitive and behavioral coping skills, communication techniques to respond to enacted stigma, and ways to build social support. A social worker co-facilitator will link participants to HIV services and help address barriers to starting and staying on antiretroviral therapy. The adapted program will be piloted locally to refine content and measure its effects on retention in care.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Women living with HIV in Ukraine who use drugs and who are having trouble with stigma, clinic attendance, or taking antiretroviral therapy.
Not a fit: People who are not living with HIV, do not use drugs, or who already have stable HIV care and do not face stigma are unlikely to benefit from this program.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, it could reduce stigma, improve medication adherence, and help more women stay connected to HIV care.
How similar studies have performed: Related cognitive-behavioral and group stigma-reduction programs have shown benefits for adherence and care engagement in other populations, but adapting and piloting this intervention for women who use drugs in Ukraine is novel.
Where this research is happening
Baltimore, United States
- Johns Hopkins University — Baltimore, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Owczarzak, Jill — Johns Hopkins University
- Study coordinator: Owczarzak, Jill
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.