Understanding HIV risks and prevention among women who use drugs in the Southern U.S.

HIV risk, PrEP disparities, and stigma among Women who use Drugs in the U.S. South, with attention to race and sexual orientation: A mixed-method intersectionality study

NIH-funded research Lsu Health Sciences Center · NIH-10881975

This study is looking at the specific challenges that cisgender women who use drugs face in the Southern U.S. when it comes to preventing HIV, especially how things like race and sexual orientation can make it harder for them to get the help they need, like PrEP. The goal is to understand their experiences better so we can create better support and resources for them.

Quick facts

Grant typeCareer grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionLsu Health Sciences Center NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (New Orleans, United States)
Project IDNIH-10881975 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates the unique challenges faced by cisgender women who use drugs in the Southern United States regarding HIV risk and prevention. It focuses on how factors like race and sexual orientation contribute to stigma and affect access to HIV prevention resources, specifically PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis). By employing a mixed-method approach, the study aims to identify barriers and facilitators to PrEP uptake and to understand the intersectional experiences of these women. The findings will help develop targeted interventions to reduce stigma and improve healthcare access for these marginalized groups.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are cisgender women who use drugs and are at risk for HIV, particularly those from marginalized racial and sexual minority backgrounds.

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

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved access to HIV prevention resources and better health outcomes for women who use drugs.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown success in addressing HIV prevention disparities among marginalized populations, indicating that this approach has potential for impactful outcomes.

Where this research is happening

New Orleans, 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.
Conditions Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome VirusAcquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome Virus
Last reviewed 2026-06-10 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.