# Suubi4Stigma: Addressing HIV-Associated Stigma Among Adolescents

> **NIH NIH R21** · WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY · 2021 · $223,628

## Abstract

Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is heavily burdened by HIV, with 85% of new infections among adolescents and
youth globally happening in the region. Recent statistics indicate that HIV prevalence among adolescents and
young people is rising in Uganda. While availability and access to free ART has decreased child mortality, it
has increased the likelihood that a number of children living with HIV (
CLWH
) will transition into adulthood, with
HIV as a chronic, highly stigmatized illness. Unfortunately, the stigma this group experiences results in much
lower quality of life. Stigma, a common experience characterized by public blame, moral condemnation and
discrimination, has been documented to be one of the greatest challenges to slowing the spread of HIV&AIDS.
It perpetuates the culture of silence and fear and prevents individuals from testing and seeking health care.
Research has shown that HIV/AIDS-associated stigma predicts depression and PTSD, poor treatment and
adherence, loneliness and social isolation, HIV-related physical health, and HIV sexual risk behavior. It is
critical for HIV interventions to target stigma in order to reduce HIV spread. Yet,
stigma-reduction interventions
targeting children and adolescents living with HIV/AIDS in SSA are almost non-existent. Thus, there is a need
for research that will generate knowledge to address HIV/AIDS-associated stigma, especially among
CLWH
as
they transition to adolescence. The proposed exploratory study (R21) will: Aim 1: Pilot test the feasibility,
acceptability, and preliminary impact of an innovative Group Cognitive Behavior Therapy (G-CBT) and Multiple
Family Group (MFG) interventions on reducing HIV/AIDS-associated stigma and its impact on targeted
participant outcomes (stigma, post-trauma symptoms, depression, sexual risk behavior, family/social support,
and adherence to medication) in comparison to: 1a) usual care vs G-CBT; 1b) Usual care vs MFG; 1c) G-CBT
vs. MFG. Aim 2: Qualitatively examine participants' and facilitators' intervention experiences and identify
individual, family and institutional-level facilitators and barriers to G-CBT and MFG intervention implementation
and participation. The study will be conducted in 9 health clinics (n = 90 children, ages 10-14) and their
caregivers (total 90 child- caregiver dyads) in Masaka. Clinics will be randomized to one of three study arms
(n=3 clinics; 30 child-caregiver dyads each arm): 1) Usual care to receive the currently implemented usual care
addressing HIV/AIDS-associated stigma (educational materials developed by the Ugandan Ministry of Health);
2) G-CBT intervention + usual care; and 3) MFG intervention + usual care. Participants will be followed over a
6-month period, with data collected at baseline
, 3 months
and 6 months post intervention initiation to assess
feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary impact. The long-term goal of the proposed research is to develop
culturally appropriate, feasible, acceptable and effective interve...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10204977
- **Project number:** 5R21MH121141-02
- **Recipient organization:** WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Proscovia Nabunya
- **Activity code:** R21 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $223,628
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2020-07-01 → 2022-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10204977

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10204977, Suubi4Stigma: Addressing HIV-Associated Stigma Among Adolescents (5R21MH121141-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10204977. Licensed CC0.

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