Stigma-reducing program to help women who use drugs stay in HIV care

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This trial tests a behavioral intervention designed to reduce intersectional HIV- and drug-use–related stigma and improve care engagement among women living with HIV who use drugs. It will randomize 100 eligible participants to either the stigma-reduction program plus standard HIV care or standard care alone, with follow-up at 3 and 6 months. All participants receive baseline assessments, ongoing HIV care, and a social-work consultation, while the intervention group attends five small-group sessions and an optional individual session with a support person. Outcomes include HIV care engagement, ART adherence, and stigma-related psychosocial measures to inform a larger future trial.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* Female; Age 18 years or older;
* Registered in the national Medical Information System (MIS) as having received an HIV-positive diagnosis;
* Registered in the MIS with injection drug use (IDU) as the probable mode of HIV transmission or with a documented history of injection drug use at any clinical visit.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Does not meet the inclusion criteria;
* Unable to provide informed consent;
* Unable to provide informed consent due to intoxication, the effects of drug use, or severe psychiatric impairment at the time of consent.

Where it's running

• Ukrainian Institute on Public Health Policy
  Kyiv, Kyiv Oblast, Ukraine Recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Jill Owczarzak, PhD — Johns Hopkins University
• Study coordinator: Jill Owczarzak, PhD
• Email: jillowczarzak@jhu.edu
• Phone: 667-306-8360

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.