In this revised K02 career grant application, the candidate is requesting 5 years of funding to support a range of activities that will collectively improve the development of HIV prevention and adherence intervention approaches targeting drug users nationally and internationally. Through the CDC's Diffusion of Effective Behavioral Interventions (DEBI) program, a number of evidence-based HIV prevention approaches are now widely available for use with people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWA). The substantial resources required for training, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of current EBIs targeting HIV+ DUs, however, reduces the likelihood that these EBIs can be properly adopted and sustained in common clinical settings (e.g., drug treatment programs, HIV clinical care settings, correctional settings, etc.). Moreover, the uptake of EBIs applicable to HIV+ DUs has been quite limited and the number of new annual HIV infections - a significant portion of which are directly and indirectly attributable to HIV+ DUs - has remained ~56,300 in the U.S. Thus, HIV+ DUs remain an important priority population since only HIV+ persons can transmit new infections and because DUs continue to contribute greatly to the persistent HIV epidemic via drug- and sex-related HIV risk behaviors that are entirely preventable through properly tailored and strategically placed interventions that are efficacious, cost-effective, and sustainable in clinica settings. NIDA has recognized this translational gap and has provided funding for the candidate's research team to adapt and optimize EBI approaches for implementation among priority populations in drug treatment and correctional settings. The activities proposed in this revised K02 (Independent Scientist Award) provide the essential framework and release time for the candidate to contribute to the next generation of HIV prevention and adherence programs targeting this priority population with the ultimate goal of improving the HIV pandemic.

Public Health Relevance

The candidate is requesting 5 years of funding to support a range of specific activities that will improve the development of HIV prevention and adherence intervention approaches targeting drug users nationally and internationally. This revised K02 (Independent Scientist Award) provides the essential framework and release time for the candidate to contribute to the next generation of HIV prevention and adherence programs targeting this priority population with the ultimate goal of improving the HIV pandemic.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
Type
Research Scientist Development Award - Research (K02)
Project #
4K02DA033139-04
Application #
9036968
Study Section
Behavioral and Social Consequences of HIV/AIDS Study Section (BSCH)
Program Officer
Jenkins, Richard A
Project Start
2013-04-01
Project End
2018-03-31
Budget Start
2016-04-01
Budget End
2017-03-31
Support Year
4
Fiscal Year
2016
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Connecticut
Department
Type
Organized Research Units
DUNS #
614209054
City
Storrs-Mansfield
State
CT
Country
United States
Zip Code
Shrestha, Roman; Karki, Pramila; Altice, Frederick L et al. (2018) Measuring Acceptability and Preferences for Implementation of Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) Using Conjoint Analysis: An Application to Primary HIV Prevention Among High Risk Drug Users. AIDS Behav 22:1228-1238
Shrestha, Roman; Copenhaver, Michael M (2018) Viral suppression among HIV-infected methadone-maintained patients: The role of ongoing injection drug use and adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART). Addict Behav 85:88-93
Shrestha, Roman; Copenhaver, Michael (2018) Exploring the Use of Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV Prevention Among High-Risk People Who Use Drugs in Treatment. Front Public Health 6:195
Shrestha, Roman; Altice, Frederick L; Karki, Pramila et al. (2018) Integrated Bio-behavioral Approach to Improve Adherence to Pre-exposure Prophylaxis and Reduce HIV Risk in People Who Use Drugs: A Pilot Feasibility Study. AIDS Behav 22:2640-2649
Shrestha, Roman; Altice, Frederick L; Copenhaver, Michael M (2018) HIV-Related Stigma, Motivation to Adhere to Antiretroviral Therapy, and Medication Adherence among HIV-Positive Methadone-Maintained Patients. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr :
Shrestha, Roman; Karki, Pramila; Copenhaver, Michael (2017) Interest in use of mHealth technology in HIV prevention and associated factors among high-risk drug users enrolled in methadone maintenance program. AIDS Care 29:1144-1148
Shrestha, Roman; Huedo-Medina, Tania B; Altice, Frederick L et al. (2017) Examining the Acceptability of mHealth Technology in HIV Prevention Among High-Risk Drug Users in Treatment. AIDS Behav 21:3100-3110
Shrestha, Roman; Altice, Frederick L; Huedo-Medina, Tania B et al. (2017) Willingness to Use Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP): An Empirical Test of the Information-Motivation-Behavioral Skills (IMB) Model among High-Risk Drug Users in Treatment. AIDS Behav 21:1299-1308
Shrestha, Roman; Karki, Pramila; Huedo-Medina, Tania B et al. (2017) Treatment Engagement Moderates the Effect of Neurocognitive Impairment on Antiretroviral Therapy Adherence in HIV-Infected Drug Users in Treatment. J Assoc Nurses AIDS Care 28:85-94
Shrestha, Roman; Copenhaver, Michael; Bazazi, Alexander R et al. (2017) A Moderated Mediation Model of HIV-Related Stigma, Depression, and Social Support on Health-Related Quality of Life among Incarcerated Malaysian Men with HIV and Opioid Dependence. AIDS Behav 21:1059-1069

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