# A couple-based antiretroviral therapy adherence intervention for people who inject drugs in Kazakhstan

> **NIH NIH K01** · COLUMBIA UNIV NEW YORK MORNINGSIDE · 2021 · $180,652

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
The purpose of this Mentored Research Scientist Development Award (K01) is to provide the candidate with
the training and expertise needed to transition to research independence in the science of HIV prevention and
intervention. The fastest growing HIV epidemics globally are driven by injection drug use. Central Asia has
some of the highest rates of injection drug use and one of the fastest growing HIV epidemics in the world. HIV-
positive people who inject drugs (PWID) face many barriers to antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence, such as
misperceptions about ART, stigma and substance use. Previous research among this population has shown
that couple-based HIV interventions are highly efficacious at reducing risk behaviors, but there is currently no
couple-based ART adherence intervention for PWID. The research aims of this proposal are to 1) identify core
components of the SMART Couples intervention and other existing ART adherence intervention strategies and
assess their appropriateness and feasibility as an integrated, couple-based ART adherence intervention for
HIV+ PWID living in Kazakhstan; 2) adapt and refine SMART Couples and identify augmentative intervention
strategies to create an integrated, couple-based ART adherence intervention for HIV+ PWID and their primary
sex partners using results from Aim 1; and 3a) pilot test the resulting couple-based intervention among 66
heterosexual PWID couples in Kazakhstan through a randomized control trial to assess the safety, feasibility,
and acceptability of the intervention and obtain preliminary estimates of adherence outcomes in the
intervention arm versus standard of care; and 3b) assess the feasibility and acceptability of conducting dried
blood spot testing as part of an adherence intervention in a clinical setting. The proposed career development
plan has been designed to augment the candidate’s current training in epidemiology and enable her to 1) gain
research skills in the design and adaptation of HIV interventions, with an emphasis on adherence among
marginalized populations; 2) obtain methodological expertise in dyad and intensive longitudinal analysis and
the triangulation of behavioral, biomedical, and technological data, particularly for the purposes of interpreting
and analyzing these types of data to assess intervention efficacy and measure ART adherence; 3) acquire
training in the conduct and analysis of qualitative in-depth interviews and focus groups, particularly for
designing and adapting HIV interventions and assessing intervention feasibility and acceptability; and 4)
increase professional skills for a successful independent research career. These training goals will be achieved
through a combination of didactic courses, specialized workshops and seminars, hands-on research, and an
interdisciplinary team of experts. The research findings and methodological skills to be gained from this K01
have wide applicability for disease research and high transf...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10194437
- **Project number:** 5K01DA044853-04
- **Recipient organization:** COLUMBIA UNIV NEW YORK MORNINGSIDE
- **Principal Investigator:** Alissa Davis
- **Activity code:** K01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $180,652
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2018-07-01 → 2023-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10194437

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10194437, A couple-based antiretroviral therapy adherence intervention for people who inject drugs in Kazakhstan (5K01DA044853-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10194437. Licensed CC0.

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