Ending the HIV Epidemic: An All-facility Intervention for Patient and Healthcare Staff Wellbeing

NIH RePORTER · NIH · R01 · $798,648 · view on reporter.nih.gov ↗

Abstract

The scope of this study is to engage HIV care clinics in the United States to co-develop context-responsive programs utilizing evidence-informed interventions to reduce processes and practices perceived as stigmatizing by people living with HIV who have difficulties accessing and remaining engaged in life-saving treatment. HIV-related stigma in a clinical setting directly impacts access to and uptake of healthcare, including engagement in HIV care services. The proposed intervention draws on the evidence-based Health Policy Plus (HP+) ‘total’ facility HIV stigma-reduction intervention that focuses on the clinics’ organizational and interpersonal levels to strengthen patient care and engagement in services, and staff wellbeing. In Aim 1, we will select HIV care clinics committed to improving their services. In Aim 2, we will conduct an implementation trial of our HIV stigma-reduction intervention. Clinics will receive training to support them in 1) identifying/creating organizational-level policies and practices (e.g., clear understanding of what practices can be experienced as stigmatizing) to reduce HIV stigma, and 2) deliver participatory trainings to all staff (e.g., building awareness of the impact of patient perceptions and experiences of HIV-related stigma on health). In Aim 3, we will evaluate multi-level outcomes using the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research, including within the organization (primary outcome of Stigma Reduction Index – ratings of mission/vision statements, policies around HIV stigma, comfort level in clinics), interpersonal (secondary outcomes of provider/staff attitudes; behavior), and individual patient level (tertiary outcomes of clinic-level HIV indicators, reports of HIV care practices that can be experienced as stigmatizing, anxiety, depression, and stress) outcomes. Assessments will take place every 6 months. Patients at the clinics will be surveyed at each assessment. Findings will yield a manual for implementing total-facility HIV stigma-reduction processes and content. Other clinics and facilities may be able to adopt this manualized, yet highly adaptable intervention.

Key facts

NIH application ID
10819558
Project number
5R01NR020583-03
Recipient
COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCES
Principal Investigator
Felicia Amira Browne
Activity code
R01
Funding institute
NIH
Fiscal year
2024
Award amount
$798,648
Award type
5
Project period
2022-07-01 → 2028-04-30