Striving Towards EmPowerment and Medication Adherence R01

A Randomized Control Trial of Striving Towards EmPowerment and Medication Adherence (STEP-AD)

This is a study for Black women living with HIV to test a counseling program for Black women living with HIV. This participant may be a good fit if the participant is a Black woman, living with HIV, has a history of trauma, and is currently taking Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) medicines

Inclusion criteria:

1. Black
2. Living with HIV
3. Cis-gender female
4. Age 18 or older
5. English speaking
6. Viral load non-suppression (>200 ml) within the past year or a lack of HIV viral load measure for 6 consecutive months or more during the past 12 months
7. History of trauma/abuse
8. Capable of completing and fully understanding the informed consent process and study procedures

Exclusion criteria:

1. Unable to completely and fully understand the informed consent process and the study procedures
2. Significantly interfering mental health symptoms (e.g., active psychosis that is untreated)