Stigma, Risk Behaviors and Health Care among HIV-infected Russian People Who Inject Drugs

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PROJECT ABSTRACT The COVID-19 pandemic restrictions to reduce the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 have exacerbated global inequities. These restrictions may have particularly limited engagement in care of HIV-positive people who inject drugs (PWID). This longitudinal project aims to qualitatively assess evolving consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic on health risks and risk behaviors of HIV-positive PWID; and described the impact of stigma on HIV-positive PWID during the COVID-19 pandemic. We will leverage access to the SCRIPT (R00DA041245) study population (n=108); SCRIPT is a community-based RCT testing the feasibility of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy as a stigma intervention among PWID with HIV who are not connected to addiction or HIV care in St. Petersburg, Russia. The SCRIPT study population provides a unique opportunity to understand pandemic impacts on substance use and HIV risk behaviors, as well as health care utilization among community-based HIV-positive PWID. This project will inform rights-based, gender-inclusive preparedness strategies to mitigate adverse pandemic effects and prepare the key population of HIV-positive PWID for future pandemic situations.