Safer, stigma-free boarding schools for students in Zambia
A total school approach using safeguarding to address HIV-related stigma and discrimination in boarding schools in Zambia
This project brings a whole-school safeguarding program to boarding schools in Zambia to reduce HIV stigma and protect learners, teachers, and staff.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Southern California NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11161570 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you are a student, teacher, or staff member at a participating boarding school in Zambia, researchers will work with you and other community members to co-create trainings and policies that reduce HIV-related stigma and prevent abuse. They will adapt a 'total facility' approach for school settings, pilot the intervention at two boarding schools, and train learners, teachers, and staff to reach at least 80% of each school. The program focuses on making schools safer through stigma reduction, safeguarding measures, and peer-led education. The team will collect information on how the program changes attitudes, behaviors, and school safety over time.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants are learners, teachers, and support staff at the participating boarding schools in Zambia, including people living with HIV and their classmates or colleagues.
Not a fit: People who are not part of boarding schools in Zambia, or who attend schools not involved in the pilot, are unlikely to directly benefit from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, schools could become safer and more supportive places that reduce HIV stigma and improve health and well-being for people living with HIV.
How similar studies have performed: Related stigma-reduction and whole-facility programs have shown promise in clinics and community settings, but applying a total-school safeguarding approach in boarding schools is relatively new and less tested.
Where this research is happening
Los Angeles, UNITED STATES
- University of Southern California — Los Angeles, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ferguson, Laura — University of Southern California
- Study coordinator: Ferguson, Laura
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.