We Are Together: a community program to reduce HIV stigma among pregnant and postpartum women
Official title: We Are Together (WAT):Development and testing of an intervention to reduce HIV-related stigma among pregnant and postpartum women
Funded at University of California, San Francisco · NIH-11411174 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A patient-facing program in Ghana and the United States aims to reduce HIV-related stigma for pregnant and postpartum women to help them stay on treatment and feel better.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $213,629 |
| NIH project number | 5R01TW012893-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11411174 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
HIV-positive women who are pregnant or up to several months postpartum, aged 21 or older, in settings similar to the study locations.
✕Less likely to help
Women not experiencing stigma or not currently engaged with HIV care may see little direct benefit.
What this research studies
This project tests an evidence-based behavioral intervention designed to lessen HIV stigma among women living with HIV who are pregnant or have recently given birth. It focuses on improving ART adherence, mood, and engagement in care by addressing stigma in daily life and healthcare settings. The study will be implemented in Ghana to capture sociocultural dynamics and then inform practices applicable to U.S. populations with similar challenges.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the program could help more women stay on HIV treatment and feel supported, improving health for mothers and babies.
How similar studies have gone: Previous stigma-reduction efforts, including PTSS-based approaches, have shown reductions in stigma and improvements in outcomes in other populations.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Francisco
San Francisco, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ouner, Jerry John — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Ouner, Jerry John
Related research
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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.