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Completed

NCT Number: NCT06969690

Question-Order Effect Experiment to Measure HIV Stigma

Question-order effect experiment to measure HIV-related stigma among people living with HIV (PWH).

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Key information

Conditions

HIV

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Mbarara University of Science and Technology

Mbarara, Uganda

About this study

HIV-related stigma is a barrier to engagement in HIV prevention and treatment. Given the negative impact of stigma on the HIV continuum of care, accurate assessment of HIV-related stigma among people living with HIV (PWH) in resource-limited settings is paramount. The purpose of this study is to conduct a question order experiment to assess the extent to which the order of presented questions affects measurement of HIV-related stigma.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • All HIV-positive (self-reported) adults who consider Nyakabare their primary place of residence and who are capable of providing consent

Exclusion criteria

  • Minors younger than 18 years of age, with the exception of emancipated minors
  • Persons who do not consider Nyakabare Parish their primary place of residence, e.g. persons who happen to be visiting Nyakabare at the time of the survey or who own a home in Nyakabare but spend most of their time outside of the parish
  • Persons with psychosis, neurological damage, acute intoxication, or other cognitive impairment (all of which are determined informally in the field by non-clinical research staff in consultation with a supervisor)
  • Persons who are not HIV positive

Treatment and study plan

Survey questionnaire V1

Other

Each version of the questionnaire includes a different order of statements about which study participants are asked to provide a Yes, No, or It depends response.

Survey questionnaire V2

Other

Each version of the questionnaire includes a different order of statements about which study participants are asked to provide a Yes, No, or It depends response.

Primary outcomes

  1. Self-esteem

    Time frame: Baseline (assessed at the time the survey is administered)

    ...do you think less of yourself because of your HIV status? (single item)

  2. Self-respect

    Time frame: Baseline (assessed at the time the survey is administered)

    ...have you felt ashamed because of your HIV status? (single item)

  3. Experiences of harassment due to HV status

    Time frame: Baseline (assessed at the time the survey is administered)

    • have you lost respect or standing in the community because of your HIV status?
    • have people talked badly about you because of your HIV status?
    • have you been verbally insulted, harassed and/or threatened because of your HIV status?
    • have you been physically assaulted because of your HIV status?
    • has someone else disclosed your HIV status without your permission?
    • have you felt that people have not wanted to sit next to you, for example on public transport, at church or in the waiting room, because of your HIV status? (six items)

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Massachusetts General Hospital

Other

Collaborators

  • Mbarara University of Science and Technology
  • National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

Registry information

Official study title

Question-Order Effect Experiment to Measure HIV Stigma Among Persons With HIV (PWH) in Rural Uganda

Important dates

Study start
2023
Primary completion
2024
Study completion
2024
First posted
May 14, 2025
Registry last updated
Jun 1, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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