Using social networks to find undiagnosed HIV in men and reduce stigma
Site-randomized trial of a novel social network recruitment intervention to locate more undiagnosed positive cases of HIV, increase HIV testing among men, and reduce HIV-related stigma
This project asks people newly diagnosed with HIV to invite people they know for testing so more men with undiagnosed HIV can be found, linked to care, and stigma around testing reduced.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Illinois at Chicago NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11403814 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you take part, someone newly diagnosed with HIV will be asked to invite members of their wider social network — not just recent sexual partners — who they think might be unaware of their HIV status. Those network members will be offered HIV testing and, if positive, referred to treatment or linked to follow-up testing if negative. The approach is being rolled out at some clinics and compared with usual outreach at other clinics to see which reaches more undiagnosed people and lowers stigma. The intervention explicitly asks people to recruit non-risk partners to reduce blame and make men more comfortable getting tested.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants include adults in affected South African communities — especially people newly diagnosed with HIV who can invite contacts and men who avoid testing.
Not a fit: People who do not live near participating clinics, are unwilling to be contacted by peers, or decline testing are unlikely to benefit directly from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could help find more men living with undiagnosed HIV, get them into treatment sooner, and lower HIV-related stigma that keeps people from testing.
How similar studies have performed: Peer and network-based recruitment has previously increased HIV testing, but this expanded, stigma-focused approach that includes non-risk contacts is a newer strategy.
Where this research is happening
Chicago, UNITED STATES
- University of Illinois at Chicago — Chicago, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Williams, Leslie Denise — University of Illinois at Chicago
- Study coordinator: Williams, Leslie Denise
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.