Building Research Capacity to Address Sociobehavioral Sciences in HIV infection in Tanzania

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Abstract This D43 application “Building Research Capacity in Sociobehavioral Sciences in HIV Infection in Tanzania” is a competitive renewal of two previous D43 awards to Duke University, now transitioned to the Kilimanjaro Clinical Research Institute (KCRI) with Dr. Blandina Mmbaga serving as Program Director. The objectives of this Program include assembly of an interdisciplinary team of sociobehavioral and related scientists who study HIV infection. Past and future trainees are gaining expertise in cross-cutting approaches to prevention strategies, HIV testing, retention in care, adherence to antiretroviral therapy, related co-morbidities especially mental illness, the needs of vulnerable populations such as children and adolescents with HIV, and an aging population of persons with HIV in Tanzania. These topics are aligned with priority areas identified by the US National Institutes of Health, the Tanzanian Ministry of Health, Community Development, Gender, Elderly and Children, and the 2021 PEPFAR Country Operating Plan for Tanzania. Social determinants and human behavior including mental illness represent primary obstacles to successful HIV prevention and treatment, and our team has and will continue to expand the evidence base to address these obstacles. In the previous two funding cycles, this Program has trained 23 researchers who returned to KCRI including 18 in degree-awarding programs, and trainees have published 128 manuscripts and received numerous fellowships and research awards. Given the evolving Tanzanian HIV epidemic and institutional needs, in the next cycle, the Program will add seven new members and further diversify the KCRI research team through subspecialty training in Child and Adolescent and Geriatric Psychiatry for two physicians trained in General Psychiatry, two PhD level Psychologists, and strengthen the team's ability to address social determinants and community outreach capacity with two psychiatric social workers and one occupational therapist. At the completion of the next cycle, this interdisciplinary team will be a formidable enterprise with the expertise to research sociobehavioral sciences and HIV infection at the vanguard of contemporary knowledge. In addition to these trainings, an annual Sociobehavioral Sciences in HIV Infection Symposia will enhance interest across KCRI, the Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Center (KCMC), the Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College (KCMU Co) and the community. In order to support former D43 trainees who have completed their didactic training, this cycle will offer funds to support competitive mentored pilot projects. Prevailing methods to strengthen team science including peer-to-peer and faculty mentoring will be enhanced, and competitive mentored pilot grants, leading to an interdisciplinary collaboration with robust and sustainable capacity compete for external funding to address Tanzanian priorities in sociobehavioral sciences in HIV infection.