This is a research project of the Center for Research on AIDS Interventions, Medical College of Wisconsin, USA.
Start 2015.08.10
End 2021.06.30
The project leader for the study is Dr. Jeffrey Kelly, PhD from the Department of Psychiatry. In Bulgaria, the project is carried out in cooperation with the Health and Social Development Foundation. The study is sponsored by the National Institute of Child Health and Development (USA).
HESED conducts research activities in the field, applying outreach principles to hard-to-reach groups. The study field team includes experts with experience as National/Short-term consultants to the HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control Program (2003-2013) under the Ministry of Health, as well as young MSM who serve as cultural mediators and who are familiar with the social networks of young men who have sex with men and ways in which they could be reached in the community. The Roma study team includes young Roma MSM as cultural mediators.
This is the fourth project, on HIV topic, we are collaborating to Dr. Kelly’s team. In 2004 to determine the effects of a behavioral intervention for the prevention of HIV and sexually transmitted diseases we identified, trained, and engaged leaders of Roma (Gypsy) men’s social networks to counsel their network members. More about the results of the project:
Over the years we have collaborated with Dr. Kelly`s team on two other research projects concerning HIV prevention and linkage to care. Thanks to his work with Dr. Kelly HESED has gained valuable experience in implementing POL as an approach to working with and activating hard-to-reach groups.