# Stigma, Risk Behaviors and Health Care among HIV-infected Russian People Who Inject Drugs

> **NIH NIH R00** · BOSTON MEDICAL CENTER · 2020 · $160,369

## Abstract

PROJECT ABSTRACT
The COVID-19 pandemic restrictions to reduce the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 have exacerbated global
inequities. These restrictions may have particularly limited engagement in care of HIV-positive people who
inject drugs (PWID). This longitudinal project aims to qualitatively assess evolving consequences of the
COVID-19 pandemic on health risks and risk behaviors of HIV-positive PWID; and described the impact of
stigma on HIV-positive PWID during the COVID-19 pandemic. We will leverage access to the SCRIPT
(R00DA041245) study population (n=108); SCRIPT is a community-based RCT testing the feasibility of
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy as a stigma intervention among PWID with HIV who are not connected
to addiction or HIV care in St. Petersburg, Russia. The SCRIPT study population provides a unique opportunity
to understand pandemic impacts on substance use and HIV risk behaviors, as well as health care utilization
among community-based HIV-positive PWID. This project will inform rights-based, gender-inclusive
preparedness strategies to mitigate adverse pandemic effects and prepare the key population of HIV-positive
PWID for future pandemic situations.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10199478
- **Project number:** 3R00DA041245-05S1
- **Recipient organization:** BOSTON MEDICAL CENTER
- **Principal Investigator:** Karsten Lunze
- **Activity code:** R00 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $160,369
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2018-09-01 → 2022-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10199478

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10199478, Stigma, Risk Behaviors and Health Care among HIV-infected Russian People Who Inject Drugs (3R00DA041245-05S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10199478. Licensed CC0.

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