By InvitationNot Applicable

Lower Intersecting HIV-related Stigmas to Facilitate Treatment as Prevention (LIFT)

Kyrgyzstan80 participantsStarted 2026-02-09

Plain-language summary

The purpose of this study is to reduce HIV transmission risk among people who inject drugs (PWID) through a multilevel intervention known as LIFT. LIFT intervenes to build intragroup PWID support at the community-level to reduce overall drug use and stigma. LIFT also increases efficacy in navigating HIV services in the presence of structural stigma. Additionally, LIFT intervenes on abstinence-based drug use stigma at the health facility-level to improve clinic policy and staff interactions with clients. This is an implementation study to adapt and pilot a stigma reduction intervention with persons who inject drugs (PWID) in Kyrgyzstan. The intervention includes peer-led group sessions focused on stigma reduction and providing support to increase HIV prevention efficacy. The aim will be to adapt, refine, and pilot the intervention among PWID and methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) clinic staff. Participants will be randomized to the intervention or control arms.

Who can participate

Age range

18 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion criteria

. reports injecting drugs or using drugs with someone who was injecting in the past 12 months before enrollment,
. is currently using illicit drugs (salts, synthetics, pharmaceuticals or opioids) including poly drug use,
. ≥ 18 years old,
. live in one of the two eligible districts
. report no intentions to move from Bishkek in the next 18 months,
. baseline rapid HIV test confirming HIV-negative status, and
. agree to participate in all intervention and assessment activities.

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Overall drug use stigma

Timeframe: 6 months

Intragroup methadone maintenance treatment stigma

Timeframe: 6 months

Intragroup HIV stigma

Timeframe: 6 months

MOUD Use (including methadone and buprenorphine)

Timeframe: 6 months

Trial details

NCT IDNCT07541131

SponsorUniversity of California, San Diego

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2026-10

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Stigma, Social trials

Plain-language summary

Who can participate

Age range

18 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion criteria

. reports injecting drugs or using drugs with someone who was injecting in the past 12 months before enrollment,
. is currently using illicit drugs (salts, synthetics, pharmaceuticals or opioids) including poly drug use,
. ≥ 18 years old,
. live in one of the two eligible districts
. report no intentions to move from Bishkek in the next 18 months,
. baseline rapid HIV test confirming HIV-negative status, and
. agree to participate in all intervention and assessment activities.

Lower Intersecting HIV-related Stigmas to Facilitate Treatment as Prevention (LIFT)

Plain-language summary

Who can participate

Inclusion criteria

Questions worth asking your doctor

Questions for the trial coordinator

What they're measuring

Trial details

Lower Intersecting HIV-related Stigmas to Facilitate Treatment as Prevention (LIFT)

Plain-language summary

Who can participate

Inclusion criteria

Questions worth asking your doctor

Questions for the trial coordinator

What they're measuring

Trial details

Exclusion criteria