Our Research

Overview

This study - A simulation and experiential learning intervention for labor and delivery providers to address HIV stigma during childbirth in Tanzania - is a partnership between the University and Utah and Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre (KCMC) to develop and pilot a provider training intervention to improve the care of women living with HIV who are giving birth.  The study is funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) under the funding announcement  Reducing Stigma to Improve HIV/AIDS Prevention, Treatment and Care in Low- and Middle-Income Countries. 

You can learn more about this research project on NIH reporter (R21-TW012001) and Clinicaltrials.gov (NCT05271903). 

Background

HIV stigma during the intrapartum period (labor and delivery) can impact birth outcomes for women living with HIV (WLHIV) and influence women’s long-term commitment to HIV care. Despite evidence that labor and delivery (L&D) providers may deliver suboptimal and stigmatizing care to WLHIV, no training interventions exist to support L&D providers in delivering respectful care to WLHIV. 

This study will fill an important gap by developing an innovative simulation training intervention for L&D provider teams that promotes non-stigmatizing, respectful, evidence-based maternity care for WLHIV, with the ultimate goal to impact long-term HIV care engagement. 

HIV stigma undermines the delivery of respectful maternity care (RMC), which is defined as high-quality care that maintains women’s dignity, ensures privacy and confidentiality, avoids harm, and enables informed choice. The delivery of RMC has implications for maternal and child health outcomes. A respectful birth can also deepen women’s trust in the health care system, and motivate them to remain in care in the postpartum period.

Study Aims & Methods

 The goal of this study is to develop and pilot-test a simulation learning intervention for L&D providers, which combines training on clinical skills for births of WLHIV, integrated with principles of RMC and strategies for mitigating HIV stigma.