The BRIDGES Project: Bridging Resources to Engage Women in Integrated HIV Care and Support Services (BRIDGES)
HIV/AIDS
About this trial
This is an interventional supportive care trial for HIV/AIDS focused on measuring HIV Care Continuum, Ancillary Support Services
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
- 18 years of age or older
- Identify as female, including cis-gender female or transgender female
- Living with HIV/AIDS
- Ability to speak and understand English
- Self-report one or more syndemic factor(s) [lifetime history of or current: trauma, physical violence and/or sexual violence, PTSD symptoms, substance use, adverse mental health]
- identification as one of the following: out-of-care or unstable in care, newly diagnosed, never in care, or linked to care but have fallen out of care]
Sites / Locations
- UCSD Webster Building
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
No Intervention
Experimental
Standard of Care
BRIDGES Arm
Women assigned to the control arm will receive self-directed (non-PN supported) treatment as usual at the HIV care service provider of choice following the Ryan White standard of care (i.e., referrals to physical, dental and mental health services; case management; and ancillary services. Annual assessments (e.g., updates on insurance, housing, referrals needed, behavioral assessment [e.g., depression, substance use]) are conducted by a case manager. For women who have fallen out of care and re-engage care, case management begins with an interview and assessment of current needs. Goals are set to create an individual care plan related to medical care, housing, and other resources, as needed. Referrals are made to appropriate services (e.g., primary care, housing, benefits counseling, food, support services) based on the intake assessment.
Women assigned to The BRIDGES Project intervention arm will be connected with and receive Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program services (see above as described under Control Arm), as well as receive Peer Navigation support via one-on-one sessions, phone/text-based check-ins, and 6 unique syndemic-responsive 120 -minute group sessions designed to build coping skills (3 sessions) and assertive communication and behavior (3 sessions).