A Cluster-Randomized Intervention Trial to Improve Quality of Life for HIV-Infected Individuals in Anhui, China

HIV Infections Clinical Trial

Official title: A Cluster-Randomized Trail to Evaluate the Efficacy of a Combined Individual- and Community-Based Behavioral Intervention to Improve Quality of Life (QOL) For HIV-Positive Villagers in Rural China

Status Completed

Clinical Trial Summary

The HIV epidemic in China has reached a phase of exponential growth; the number of new infections has been steadily increasing over the past decade. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of a Combined Individual- and Community-Based Behavioral Intervention to Improve Quality of Life for HIV-Positive Villagers and decrease HIV related stigma in Rural China.

Clinical Trial Description

Over the past decade, the rates of HIV infection and death due to HIV/AIDS have been steadily increasing in China. The China Comprehensive AIDS Response (China CARES) program was developed in 2003 in order to help poor counties and those with severe epidemic problems increase public awareness and improve knowledge about epidemic diseases such as HIV. Currently, behavioral interventions focusing on individual skills training and self-efficacy building for HIV infected individuals are not included in China CARES. Fuyang, Anhui Province, China has a high rate of HIV infected individuals, many of whom were former plasma donors (FPDs) and would benefit from HIV skills training.

In 2004, CIPRA conducted a study (CIPRA CH 002A), entitled "A Qualitative Study for the Development of an Intervention Among HIV-Positive Former Plasma Donors (FPDs) in Fuyang, Anhui Province, China," which provided insight into HIV infected individuals in Fuyang, Anhui Province, China. According to the results of CIRPA CH 002A, most HIV infected individuals described their QOL as poor. The factors affecting their poor QOL include poverty, poor health, stigma and discrimination. Participants in the CIPRA CH 002A study showed interest in learning more about HIV/AIDS disease and treatment. This study will last 18 months. HIV infected participants and their families will attend eight 2-hour group skills training sessions during Weeks 1 through 8, and booster sessions every two months during Months 3 through 15. Popular Opinion Leaders (POL) participants will attend 4 weeks of 2-hour training sessions about anti-stigma and anti-discrimination, followed by support meetings every 2 months during Months 2 through 13. Some participants will complete cross-sectional surveys evaluating the levels of stigma and discrimination in the community at study entry and at Months 6 and 12 following completion of POL training. All participants will complete follow-up visits at Months 6 and 12. ;

Study Design

Allocation: Randomized, Endpoint Classification: Efficacy Study, Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment, Masking: Open Label

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• HIV Infections

• NCT number: NCT00479141
• Study type: Interventional
• Source: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Start date: March 2006
• Completion date: December 2008