About

Training Years: 2013-2014

Training Site: UNC Project Malawi

Country: Malawi

Mentors: Bill Miller, MD, PhD; Irving Hoffman, PA, MPH; Mina Hosseinipour, MD, MPH

Title: Substance use and HIV infection awareness among HIV-infected female sex workers (FSW) in Lilongwe, Malawi

Project Objectives:  

Aim 1: Determine the relationship between alcohol use disorders and recent HIV testing among female sex workers in Lilongwe, Malawi.

Overview: Female sex workers, recruited form alcohol serving venues, will be examined using a cross-sectional survey. Alcohol use will be defined using the validated WHO’s AUDIT score. Recent HIV testing will be defined as receiving an HIV test, either through home- or clinic-based testing, within the past 12 months.

Aim 2: Assess the relationship between alcohol use disorders and initiation of antiretroviral therapy (ART) among HAART eligible female sex workers.

Overview: Using the same cohort of female sex workers outlined in Aim 1, virological and immunological status will be determined in addition to the cross-sectional survey. Female sex workers eligible for HAART will be identified based off the 2010 WHO criteria of CD4 criteria of <350 cells/ul. Initiation of ART will be defined as receiving ART at any point in time since HIV diagnosis.

Aim 3: Evaluate the association between alcohol consumption patterns and antiretroviral therapy adherence among female sex workers on ART.

Overview: Among the female sex workers that have initiated ART, ART adherence will be defined as being virally suppressed with an HIV-RNA <400 copies/ml.

NIH Support:  Fogarty scholars doctoral training award

Career Development Award: K01 DA048174  (2019-2024) The Role Of Injection Partnerships And Preferences For Reducing HCV Risk: Giving A Voice To Young Women In Rural Appalachia