Interview study on HIV stigma and mental health in cities and islands
Compares stigma, mental health and HIV treatment experiences in urban and island settings.
Key facts
- Who runs it
- Fábio Cota Medeiros
- Where
- Lisbon, PortugalSee the site
- Trial code
- Registry title
- Urban and Insular Study on Treatment Experiences and Stigma in People Living with HIV
- Status
- Not yet recruiting
- People taking part
- 300 people, planned
- Started
- 1 Mar 2025
- Planned end
- 27 Feb 2026
- Type of study
- Observational, 2 groups
- Record updated
- 19 February 2025
Who can take part
AI summary
From the trial's eligibility criteria. Machine-read from the registry text on this page, so it can be wrong. The registry text below and the trial team decide who can take part.
The trial is looking for adults living with HIV who take daily pills for HIV and receive care in a city or on an island in Portugal. It involves one interview.
- Age
- 18 years or older
- Sex
- All sexes can join.
- Earlier treatment
- On antiretroviral therapy (ART) for at least six months, taken as a daily oral regimen (single or multiple pills). No change of HIV regimen in the previous six months.
Main reasons for not taking part
- Under 18 years of age
- Changed antiretroviral regimen in the previous six months
- Unable to give informed consent, for example because of cognitive impairment
- Limited understanding of the study procedures or questionnaires, for example language barriers
- Pregnant, or incarcerated or deprived of liberty
The registry criteria, word for word
Show all 11 criteriaShow less
Who can take part
- Individuals diagnosed with HIV
- Aged 18 years or older
- On antiretroviral therapy (ART) for at least six months
- On a daily oral treatment regimen (single or multiple pills)
- Able to provide informed consent
Who cannot take part
- Individuals who have switched antiretroviral regimen in the previous six months
- Individuals unable to provide informed consent (e.g., due to cognitive impairment or lack of capacity)
- Individuals under 18 years of age
- Individuals with limited understanding of the study procedures or questionnaires (e.g., language barriers or cognitive limitations)
- Individuals who are incarcerated or deprived of liberty
- Pregnant individuals
Where in Portugal
- Unidade Local de Saúde de Santa MariaLisbon, PortugalContact: Fábio Cota Medeiros, MDNot yet recruiting
About the trial
What the trial wants to find out
Study Title: SUNRISE Study: Urban and Island Experiences of HIV Treatment and Stigma
Read full original descriptionShow less
What is this study about? This study aims to understand how living in urban areas versus islands affects the experiences of people living with HIV (PLWH) in Portugal. Specifically, the investigators want to explore how stigma and mental health (such as depression and anxiety) differ between these two settings. The investigators are also interested in understanding how the number of pills a person takes daily (called "pill burden") impacts their mental health and satisfaction with treatment.
Why is this study important? Stigma related to HIV can make it harder for people to stick to their treatment and can negatively affect their mental health and overall well-being. By comparing urban and island settings, the investigators hope to identify unique challenges faced by PLWH in different environments. This information will help the investigators to develop better strategies to support people living with HIV, no matter where they live.
Who can participate? Adults (18 years or older) who have been diagnosed with HIV. People who have been on antiretroviral therapy (HIV treatment) for at least six months.
Individuals living in urban areas or island region.
What will happen during the study?
Participants will complete a one-time interview during their regular HIV care visit. The interview will include questions about:
Their experiences with HIV-related stigma. Their mental health (including depression and anxiety). Their satisfaction with their current HIV treatment. The number of pills they take daily and how this affects their daily life. All information will be kept confidential, and participation is voluntary.
What are the potential benefits of participating? This study will help to understand the challenges faced by people living with HIV in different parts of Portugal. This knowledge can lead to improved support services and treatment options for PLWH in the future.
What are the risks of participating? There are no physical risks associated with this study. However, some questions may touch on sensitive topics, such as stigma or mental health.
How will the results be used? The results of this study will be shared with the scientific community, healthcare providers, and organizations that support people living with HIV. The goal is to use this information to improve care and reduce stigma for PLWH in Portugal and beyond.
Who is conducting this study? This study is led by researchers from the Faculty of Medicine of Lisbon, in collaboration with hospitals in Portugal mainland, the Azores, and Madeira.
The 2 groups in the trial
- Urban Cohort
People living with HIV (PLWH) who receive care in urban centers.
- Island Cohort
People living with HIV (PLWH) who receive care in island regions (Azores and Madeira).
Questions to ask the study team
- How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
- Are travel costs paid?
- Can I keep my own doctor?
- What happens if I want to stop?
Contact the study team: see the registry record → Contacts and Locations
Print a page for my doctorData and sources
- Registry record
- Listed on ClinicalTrials.gov.
- Official title
- Clinical Characterization and Cross-Sectional Comparison of Stigma, Mental Health, and Treatment Experience Among People Living with HIV in Urban and Insular Settings in Portugal
- Plain-language title
- Interview study on HIV stigma and mental health in cities and islandsGenerated from the registry record. The registry title is the official one.
- AI summary
- From the trial's eligibility criteria. Read by machine on 12 November 2026.
- Record updated
- 19 February 2025