Understanding substance use and its treatment among female sex workers living with HIV
Official title: The Siyaphambili Substance Use Study: Exploring substance use and its treatment in the context of achieving sustained ART adherence among female sex workers
Funded at Johns Hopkins University · NIH-10909809 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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 type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Johns Hopkins University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $179,551 |
| NIH project number | 5R21DA056304-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10909809 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are female sex workers aged 18 and older who are living with HIV and have reported illicit drug use.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not female sex workers or those who do not have substance use issues may not benefit from this research.
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.
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 gone: 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
-
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Schwartz, Sheree Renae — Johns Hopkins University
- Study coordinator: Schwartz, Sheree Renae
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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A new mobile health program aims to help female sex workers in Kenya avoid substance abuse, violence, HIV, and depression by delivering group therapy, online resources, and a peer discussion space.
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Co-treated care for substance use and heart infection at UVMMC
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This project looks at how HIV behaves differently in people from puberty through menopause, focusing on how hormones like estrogen may affect HIV persistence and immune responses.
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Preventing Suicide Among Teens Who Use Substances in School Settings
Aims to see if how schools respond to substance-use incidents (like alcohol or drugs) can lower suicide risk among high‑risk students.
-
People and Place: How geography affects HIV care and substance use in Los Angeles
Aims to understand how where you live in LA affects HIV care and substance use, and to adapt a proven intervention to help PLWH who use substances connect with better care.
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.