Women, Intersectionality, Substance Use and HIV ( WISH)

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PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT The purpose of this Mentored Research Scientist Development Award (K01) is to provide the candidate with the training and expertise needed to transition into an independent research career focused on intersectional approaches to optimize HIV treatment and intervention. This K01 features a robust career development plan and carefully linked research strategy. The overall objective of the research component of this K01 is to examine how intersectional stigma and discrimination lead to inequalities in HIV treatment outcomes and explore how resilience promotes engagement in HIV care among racially diverse women living with HIV who use drugs (WLHIV-WUD) in the United States (US). This information will inform the selection and systematic adaptation of an HIV-related evidence-based intervention (EBI) to facilitate engagement in care among WLHIV-WUD. This will be achieved through the following three specific aims: 1) to assess the impact of stigma and discrimination on inequalities in HIV treatment outcomes across intersections of drug use and race among racially diverse WLHIV in the US; 2) to systematically adapt an HIV-related EBI to mitigate the impact of intersectional stigma and discrimination and cultivate resilience to facilitate HIV care engagement among racially diverse WLHIV-WUD in San Francisco, CA; and 3) to evaluate the acceptability and feasibility of the adapted intersectionality-informed HIV care engagement intervention among racially diverse WLHIV-WUD in San Francisco, CA. Dr. Jennifer Jain is the perfect candidate to conduct this research because of her strong knowledge base in epidemiological methods and HIV and substance use research. During the 5-year award period, Dr. Jain will achieve the following career development objectives: 1) gain content expertise in intersectionality theory and research with an emphasis on HIV care engagement among WLHIV-WUD in the US; 2) develop methodological expertise in advanced statistical techniques for quantitative intersectionality and mixed methods; 3) acquire training in intervention science, including the adaptation and testing of evidence- based interventions focused on HIV care engagement among WLHIV-WUD in the US; 4) build skills for a successful independent research career, including grantsmanship, scientific manuscript writing and collaborative cross-disciplinary research. This will be attained through the completion of a diverse set of training activities including mentor-directed learning, formal course work, seminars, and real-world research experience. The proposed research is highly consistent with current NIH priorities to: 1) conduct HIV-related intersectional stigma research; 2) improve health outcomes among people living with HIV who use drugs; and 3) accelerate scientific discoveries in HIV/AIDS and substance use research. Moreover, this research supports Dr. Jain’s pursuit of an independent career in research focused on intersectional approaches to enhance HIV treatment and intervention among racially diverse WLHIV-WUD in the US.