Grants and Contracts Details
Description
With advances in treatment, people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) have greatly improved survival rates and
medical outcomes. However, despite the increased availability of highly-active antiretroviral therapy, many
PLWHA fail to take their medication as directed. This reduces their chances of achieving viral suppression and
is thus a crucial component of the HIV/AIDS treatment cascade. To improve the outcomes of PLWHA and
address the low levels of viral suppression observed nationwide, it is essential to examine factors that are likely
to decrease medication adherence. One such factor is alcohol consumption, which has been shown to have a
significant and large effect on whether or not individuals follow their medication regimen.
The primary objective of this research is to develop and test an alcohol reduction intervention for PLWHA.
Based on collaborators’ previous research and prior literature, this eight-week intervention, titled Tracking and
Reducing Alcohol Consumption (TRAC), will be delivered entirely using technology. Counselors will meet with
patients using videoconferencing in partnership with the Georgia Department of Public Health’s Telehealth
Network, as well as via phone-based conversations. This technology-based delivery will be highly accessible to
patients in both rural and urban areas of Georgia, as it requires only two in-person visits to a local health
department office for videoconferencing sessions. As a supplement to the intervention, participants will also
engage in self-monitoring of alcohol consumption and medication adherence through mobile questionnaires
and Bluetooth-enabled breathalyzers. The use of mobile breathalyzers represents an innovative application of
modern technologies and has potential to improve the validity of self-reported alcohol consumption. Overall,
the TRAC intervention will be developed and tested in two stages: an open trial (N=10) exploring acceptance
and usability, and a small randomized pilot trial (N=60) assessing feasibility and evidence for efficacy in regard
to reducing alcohol consumption, increasing medication adherence, and improving medical outcomes.
I aim to receive comprehensive training to support this line of research related to reducing alcohol consumption
among PLWHA. As part of my training plan, five mentors who specialize in HIV/AIDS, alcohol, intervention
design, telemedicine, and advanced data analysis will provide guidance through directed readings, regular
meetings, and feedback on research design. These mentors are located at the University of Georgia and Yale
University. Both universities will provide me with access to extensive intellectual resources and partnering
organizations who can aid in my research, including the Georgia Department of Public Health, Yale’s Center
for Interdisciplinary Research on AIDS, and the NIAAA Consortia for HIV/AIDS and Alcohol-Related Research
Trials. I will also participate in courses and workshops related to clinical data analysis, HIV/AIDS research, and
behavioral intervention design. This training will provide me with the foundation needed to meet my long-term
goal of conducting an externally-funded program of research in HIV/AIDS and alcohol and drug use.
Status | Finished |
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Effective start/end date | 8/15/18 → 7/31/23 |
Funding
- National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism: $387,538.00
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