Social networks, stigma, and HIV care among forcibly displaced MSM in Ukraine
Official title: Social network disruption, stigma, and HIV transmission and care dynamics among forcibly displaced MSM in Ukraine
Funded at University of California-Irvine · NIH-11455240 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project will look at how broken social networks and stigma affect HIV testing, care, and transmission among men who have sex with men who were forcibly displaced in Ukraine.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California-Irvine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Irvine, United States) |
| Project start | November 1, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $92,425 |
| NIH project number | 3R01DA057141-05S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11455240 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Individuals who identify as men who have sex with men and have been forcibly displaced in Ukraine, or are locally resident MSM in Kyiv or Lviv, and who consent to participate.
✕Less likely to help
Participants without HIV or those not engaging with care pathways may have less direct benefit from treatment-focused findings.
What this research studies
The study plans to enroll 1,200 MSM in Ukraine, including 600 locally located and 600 forcibly displaced, across Kyiv and Lviv, using modified respondent-driven sampling to gather social network and behavioral data. Blood samples will be collected from participants living with HIV to measure viral load, linking biology with care access and social factors. Researchers will examine how displacement, stigma, and network disruption influence HIV testing, treatment uptake, and viral suppression in both local and displaced communities. Findings could inform interventions to reduce transmission and improve linkage to care for fdMSM during displacement crises.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could help tailor HIV prevention and care strategies for forcibly displaced MSM in Ukraine, potentially reducing transmission and improving treatment access.
How similar studies have gone: Prior studies show that social networks and stigma influence HIV risk and care; this study extends those insights to a displaced population with unique barriers.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California-Irvine
Irvine, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Vasylyeva, Tetyana — University of California-Irvine
- Study coordinator: Vasylyeva, Tetyana
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.