Buddhist Understanding and Reduction of Myanmar Experiences of HIV Stigma and Exclusion (BURMESE)

University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)

Status: Completed

Conditions: Mindfulness; Hiv; Stigma, Social

Treatments: Behavioral: Stigma reduction

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other; NIH

Identifiers

NCT05126225

R21TW011277 (U.S. NIH Grant/Contract)

IRB# 18-001769

Details and patient eligibility

About

This project aims to explore a multi-leveled conceptualization of the effects of HIV stigma on HIV care engagement in Myanmar by conducting a mixed-method study.

Full description

This project is to explore how Myanmar People Living With HIV (PLWH) experience and manage HIV stigma as inspired by Buddhist teaching, and to adapt an evidence-based stigma-reduction intervention to tailor treatment for the unique needs of Myanmar People Living With HIV.

A stigma-reduction intervention will be adopted to the needs of Myanmar People Living With HIV with six focus groups.

Enrollment: 19 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18+ years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

1. HIV-Positive
2. Care by Myanmar Positive Group/CMRU
3. Living in Myanmar/Thailand
4. can stay in the period of intervention

Exclusion criteria

1. Not HIV
2. Living outside of Myanmar/Thailand
3. Not care by MPG/CMRU
4. Cannot stay for the study period

Trial design

Primary purpose: Supportive Care

Allocation: N/A

Interventional model: Single Group Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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19 participants in 1 patient group

Protocol group

Experimental group

Description:

The intervention is modularized to eight weekly sessions of 2-hour group discussions. The facilitator applies the principle of Cognitive Behavior Therapy and provides psychoeducation to promote the awareness and understanding of HIV stigma as well as training to help participants acquire alternative coping skills, such as relaxation techniques. In five sessions, participants are introduced to the general cognitive-behavioral model of HIV stigma and are encouraged to track their thoughts, feelings, and behavioral responses when encountering external stigma or adverse events. The participants further learn to differentiate helpful and non-helpful coping strategies and practice applying helpful coping skills to effectively reduce their HIV stigma. In the other three sessions, participants further discuss more specific stigma that intersects with HIV stigma, including stigma in healthcare settings, access to social support, and available resources on the society levels.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Stigma reduction