Understanding substance use and its treatment among female sex workers living with HIV

The Siyaphambili Substance Use Study: Exploring substance use and its treatment in the context of achieving sustained ART adherence among female sex workers

NIH-funded research Johns Hopkins University · NIH-10909809

This study is looking at how using drugs or alcohol impacts the health care of women who work in the sex industry in South Africa, and it wants to hear from these women about their experiences to find better ways to support them in managing both their substance use and HIV care.

Quick facts

Grant typeR21 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionJohns Hopkins University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Baltimore, United States)
Project IDNIH-10909809 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates how substance use affects HIV care among female sex workers aged 18 and older in South Africa. It aims to identify patterns of substance use and their determinants, such as violence and economic vulnerability, through advanced analytical methods. Additionally, the study will gather insights from female sex workers about their experiences with substance use and treatment preferences via interviews. The findings will help develop effective treatment strategies integrated with HIV care.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are female sex workers aged 18 and older who are living with HIV and have reported illicit drug use.

Not a fit: Patients who are not female sex workers or those who do not have substance use issues may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved health outcomes for female sex workers living with HIV by addressing their substance use issues.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown success in addressing substance use in similar populations, indicating that this approach has potential for meaningful impact.

Where this research is happening

Baltimore, 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.