R01TW012897
Project Grant
Overview
Grant Description
Reducing stigma and enhancing HIV prevention among MSM in the Georgian Republic - In the Georgian Republic, 1 in 5 men who have sex with men (MSM) have undiagnosed HIV.
Only 44% of MSM with HIV are diagnosed, 84% of those are linked to care, and 92% of those on ART achieve viral suppression.
Despite UNAIDS goals for 95% diagnosis, treatment, and suppression by 2025, gaps persist due to limited routine testing, stigma, low awareness of testing and PrEP, and late-stage diagnoses.
To address these issues, evidence-based videos and educational content from prior randomized controlled trials (RCTs) will be adapted for Georgian MSM.
Digital health interventions, including videos, offer discreet and accessible HIV testing content.
This approach aims to reduce stigma and increase testing uptake, informed by theories like social learning and cognitive theories (SLT/SCT).
The ADAPT-ITT model will guide adaptation, while CFIR will address intervention and individual characteristics, supported by feedback from Georgian stakeholders and a community advisory group (CAG).
This intervention represents the first online HIV testing trial in Georgia, implemented with Equality Movement, Tanadgoma, and the National AIDS Center.
The study aims are:
Aim 1A: Identify barriers and facilitators to HIV testing among Georgian MSM using CFIR and ADAPT-ITT.
Interviews with 40 stakeholders will explore stigma and systemic norms impeding testing.
Aim 1B: Adapt video content and educational quizzes using iterative feedback to ensure cultural relevance, producing mock-ups with local videographers.
Aim 2A: Conduct a 1:1 pilot RCT with 300 MSM, comparing intervention and delayed arms to evaluate testing uptake, linkage to prevention or care, and HIV knowledge.
Participants will complete online surveys (B, 3, 6, 9, 12 months) and view SLT/SCT-informed intervention videos and educational quizzes.
Men can order HIV test kits through Equality Movement’s online portal.
Aim 2B: Assess HIV stigma's mediating role in intervention effects, hypothesizing reduced anticipated and internalized stigma will increase testing and care linkage.
We will assess efficacy through repeated measures, mediation, paradata, and process measures in relation to HIV testing uptake and stigma reduction.
Impact: Successful implementation and scale-up of this intervention could reduce HIV transmission rates among Georgian MSM and serve as a model for other countries and stigmatized populations.
Only 44% of MSM with HIV are diagnosed, 84% of those are linked to care, and 92% of those on ART achieve viral suppression.
Despite UNAIDS goals for 95% diagnosis, treatment, and suppression by 2025, gaps persist due to limited routine testing, stigma, low awareness of testing and PrEP, and late-stage diagnoses.
To address these issues, evidence-based videos and educational content from prior randomized controlled trials (RCTs) will be adapted for Georgian MSM.
Digital health interventions, including videos, offer discreet and accessible HIV testing content.
This approach aims to reduce stigma and increase testing uptake, informed by theories like social learning and cognitive theories (SLT/SCT).
The ADAPT-ITT model will guide adaptation, while CFIR will address intervention and individual characteristics, supported by feedback from Georgian stakeholders and a community advisory group (CAG).
This intervention represents the first online HIV testing trial in Georgia, implemented with Equality Movement, Tanadgoma, and the National AIDS Center.
The study aims are:
Aim 1A: Identify barriers and facilitators to HIV testing among Georgian MSM using CFIR and ADAPT-ITT.
Interviews with 40 stakeholders will explore stigma and systemic norms impeding testing.
Aim 1B: Adapt video content and educational quizzes using iterative feedback to ensure cultural relevance, producing mock-ups with local videographers.
Aim 2A: Conduct a 1:1 pilot RCT with 300 MSM, comparing intervention and delayed arms to evaluate testing uptake, linkage to prevention or care, and HIV knowledge.
Participants will complete online surveys (B, 3, 6, 9, 12 months) and view SLT/SCT-informed intervention videos and educational quizzes.
Men can order HIV test kits through Equality Movement’s online portal.
Aim 2B: Assess HIV stigma's mediating role in intervention effects, hypothesizing reduced anticipated and internalized stigma will increase testing and care linkage.
We will assess efficacy through repeated measures, mediation, paradata, and process measures in relation to HIV testing uptake and stigma reduction.
Impact: Successful implementation and scale-up of this intervention could reduce HIV transmission rates among Georgian MSM and serve as a model for other countries and stigmatized populations.
Funding Goals
THE JOHN E. FOGARTY INTERNATIONAL CENTER (FIC) SUPPORTS RESEARCH AND RESEARCH TRAINING TO REDUCE DISPARITIES IN GLOBAL HEALTH AND TO FOSTER PARTNERSHIPS BETWEEN U.S. SCIENTISTS AND THEIR COUNTERPARTS ABROAD. FIC SUPPORTS BASIC BIOLOGICAL, BEHAVIORAL, AND SOCIAL SCIENCE RESEARCH, AS WELL AS RELATED RESEARCH TRAINING AND CAREER DEVELOPMENT. THE RESEARCH PORTFOLIO IS DIVIDED INTO SEVERAL PROGRAMS THAT SUPPORT A WIDE VARIETY OF FUNDING MECHANISMS TO MEET PROGRAMMATIC OBJECTIVES.
Grant Program (CFDA)
Awarding / Funding Agency
Place of Performance
Georgia
Geographic Scope
Foreign
Partnership For Research And Action For Health was awarded
HIV Prevention & Stigma Reduction Georgian MSM: Online Intervention Trial
Project Grant R01TW012897
worth $192,292
from Fogarty International Center in April 2026 with work to be completed primarily in Georgia.
The grant
has a duration of 3 years and
was awarded through assistance program 93.989 International Research and Research Training.
The Project Grant was awarded through grant opportunity Interventions for Stigma Reduction to Improve HIV/AIDS Prevention, Treatment and Care in Low- and Middle- Income Countries (R01 - Clinical Trial Optional).
Status
(Ongoing)
Last Modified 3/5/26
Period of Performance
4/1/26
Start Date
3/31/29
End Date
Funding Split
$192.3K
Federal Obligation
$0.0
Non-Federal Obligation
$192.3K
Total Obligated
Activity Timeline
Additional Detail
Award ID FAIN
R01TW012897
SAI Number
R01TW012897-3026552736
Award ID URI
SAI UNAVAILABLE
Awardee Classifications
Non-Domestic (Non-U.S.) Entity
Awarding Office
75NF00 NIH Fogarty International Center
Funding Office
75NF00 NIH Fogarty International Center
Awardee UEI
M76CNTG25JG5
Awardee CAGE
SWA95
Performance District
Not Applicable
Modified: 3/5/26