Adapting the Finding Respect and Ending Stigma around HIV (FRESH)
Funded By: National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Duration: August 2020-June 2023
Study Population(s):
- Sexual minority men and transgender women
- Healthcare workers (clinical and non-clinical)
Background
There are high levels of stigma against sexual and gender minorities (SGMs) in the Caribbean. HIV and intersectional stigmas in healthcare settings are significant barriers to care in the Dominican Republic (DR). There are surprisingly few intersectional stigma reduction interventions for healthcare settings. The FRESH intervention was originally developed in a study in five African nations, then was adapted for the United States. Since we have data showing that FRESH is adaptable, revising it for Latinx and Hispanic populations could yield scientific evidence leading FRESH to become a validated multi-region stigma-reduction intervention.
Study Aims
Aim 1
Explore sources, characteristics, and consequences of HIV-related and intersectional stigmas experienced in healthcare settings by sexual minority men and transgender women to inform the adaptation of FRESH.
Aim 2
Adapt FRESH to address stigmas experienced by sexual minority men and transgender women in the DR.
Aim 3
Pilot-test the adapted intervention to obtain estimates of its ability to reduce stigmatizing attitudes and behaviors from HWs and experiences of stigma reported by SGM and non-SGM clients living with HIV (primary); while exploring if FRESH has the potential to influence clinic-level HIV cascade outcomes.
