National Institute of Health

The aim of this project is to create Peer-Navigation Intervention and pilot test it to (re-)engage PWID in SUD care and HIV care.

1) pilot a peer education, social network intervention for MAT uptake and retention and enhancing HIV medical care and ART adherence among those social network members living with HIV who use drugs;

2) quantitatively and qualitatively assess barriers to MAT and ART uptake and adherence from the perspectives of peer educators and their network members and identify effective strategies and approaches used by peer educators to promote MAT and ART among their network members;  

3) determine the potential effect size, effectiveness, and feasibility of this intervention for HIV prevention (based on seroconversions and reduction in HIV risk behaviors) as well as improvement in HIV-related health outcomes among PLWH PWID for implementing an RCT of a peer education and social network-based intervention to increase MAT uptake and retention among PWID.