Women SHINE: Addressing Syndemics and HIV Among Women Through Tech-Based Peer Engagement
University of California, San Diego
Summary
A two-arm RCT will be conducted to test the efficacy of Women SHINE, a web-based trauma-informed peer navigation-social support intervention (Figure 2). A total of 360 women living with HIV/AIDS (WLHA) with a history of adulthood interpersonal violence who have been prescribed ART but are non-adherent (\< 90% ART adherent in the last 4 weeks) will be enrolled in the study. WLHA will be randomized (1:1) into one of the following conditions: 1) Women SHINE intervention arm (n=180) or 2) Control arm (n=180). The Women SHINE intervention arm will receive a four-month intervention including peer navigator (PN) one-on-one sessions, phone/text-based check-ins, 7 psychoeducation weekly support group sessions (120 mins.) co-facilitated by a licensed therapist and PN, and access to a static website with resources for HIV care, interpersonal violence, trauma, mental health, and substance use. The control arm will receive one group session (60 mins.) on self-care and well-being and access to the aforementioned website with resources. Women will complete a video-based survey and mailed hair sample self-collection at baseline, 4-, 8-, and 12-months post-randomization, to evaluate improvements in ART adherence (Aim 1), emotion regulation, and PTSD symptoms (Aim 2). Investigators will examine the mediating effect of individual (retention in HIV care, coping self-efficacy, social support, ancillary support services use) and socio-structural (stigma, medical mistrust) mechanisms of change on the efficacy of Women SHINE (Aim 3).
Description
In the US, women living with HIV/AIDS (WLHA) are less likely to be adherent to antiretroviral therapy (ART) and virally suppressed compared to men living with HIV/AIDS. Concurrently, WLHA experience high rates of interpersonal violence - physical, sexual, and/or psychological abuse in childhood or adulthood - which often results in trauma (e.g., post-traumatic stress disorder \[PTSD\]) and other adverse mental health, further contributing to ART non-adherence. Additionally, the confluence of syndemic or co-occurring adverse mental health, substance use, and socio-structural factors (e.g., HIV…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 18+ years
- Sex
- Female
- Healthy volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria: * Cisgender female * Diagnosis of HIV by a physician, healthcare provider, or community health worker * Aged 18 years or older * Speaking and reading English or Spanish * Adulthood experiences of interpersonal violence * Currently prescribed ART * Self-report of \<90% past-month ART adherence * Not currently participating in another adherence intervention * Access to an internet browser Exclusion Criteria: * Unwillingness to participate in the intervention * Transgender female * No diagnosis of HIV by a physician, healthcare provider, or community health worker * Aged le…
Interventions
- BehavioralWomen SHINE
Minimum of nine weekly one-on-one peer navigation sessions and 7 weekly psychoeducation support group sessions.
- BehavioralControl
Single group session and access to website
Location
- The Regents of the Univ. of Calif., U.C. San DiegoLa Jolla, California