# Engaging Young People who Inject Drugs into HCV and HIV Care

> **NIH NIH K23** · BOSTON MEDICAL CENTER · 2021 · $181,472

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY / ABSTRACT
Background: Recent human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) outbreaks, including
the one in Indiana, illustrate that these infections should be addressed simultaneously to improve outcomes. In
the United States most of the new HCV infections are among young people who inject drugs (PWID). Studies
at detoxification centers have shown that linkage to care is problematic. Social services support such as case
management has the potential to improve linkage to care; however, little is known about its potential influence
on the care of young PWID. Candidate: I am a clinician scientist trained in combined internal
medicine/pediatrics and infectious diseases (ID). I am committed to investigating strategies to improve health
care delivery to HCV- and HIV-infected individuals. After completing an ID fellowship at Harvard's Beth Israel
Deaconess Medical Center, I joined the faculty at Boston University (BU) School of Medicine, where I have
gained experience working with substance using patients. I am applying for a 5-year K23 award to acquire the
necessary skills and experience to become an independently funded clinician investigator with expertise to
design, implement and analyze clinical interventions. Research: I will use the ADAPT-ITT framework to modify
strengths-based case management (SBCM), an evidence-based linkage to care intervention, to address the
needs of PWID aged 18 to 30 tested for HCV and HIV at a detoxification center. I will then pilot test the
adapted intervention. The specific aims are to (1) To use in-depth, qualitative interviews to identify facilitators
and barriers to linkage and retention in HIV and/or HCV care; (2) To use findings from Aim 1 to adapt SBCM to
improve linkage and retention in care; 3) To conduct a feasibility study of the adapted intervention in
preparation for a future trial. Training: The career development plan includes training in the development of
interventions, clinical trials, advanced statistical methods, and substance use research. The BU ID department,
the Centers for AIDS Research (CFAR) and the NIH-funded Learning for Early Careers in Addiction and
Diversity program provide a rich research environment. Mentorship: My primary mentor, Dr. Samet, has
expertise in substance use, HIV and HCV. Dr. Linas, my co-mentor, has expertise in HCV, HIV and linkage to
care. Advisors are Drs. Bernstein (qualitative research), Horsburgh (HCV and HIV) and Sorensen (substance
use and HIV). At the completion of my K23, I will have gained the skills necessary to become an independent
clinician investigator focusing on HCV and HIV linkage to care among individuals with a history of substance
use.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10148745
- **Project number:** 5K23DA044085-04
- **Recipient organization:** BOSTON MEDICAL CENTER
- **Principal Investigator:** Sabrina A Assoumou
- **Activity code:** K23 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $181,472
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2018-05-01 → 2023-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10148745

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10148745, Engaging Young People who Inject Drugs into HCV and HIV Care (5K23DA044085-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-21 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10148745. Licensed CC0.

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