Making ART Work Among Brazilian Youth

This study seeks to develop and pilot test a theory-based, integrated technology and counseling intervention to improve ART adherence among sexual and gender minority (SGM) young people living with HIV (ages 18-24) in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The intervention aims to improve social support, self-efficacy for taking ART, and teach skills for problem-solving barriers to promote better adherence.

Inclusion Criteria: * between 18 and 24 years of age * assigned male sex at birth * identify as a gay or bisexual man, or a transgender woman or another gender identity along the feminine spectrum * self-report living with HIV, and verified by medical chart review, * self-report currently taking or prescribed ART for \> 3 months * self-report missing 2 or more doses of ART medications in any given week in the past month OR not virally suppressed (i.e., \>40 copies/mL in past 3 months; via national outpatient data \[SISCEL\] or plasma viral load testing) * owns a cell phone or willing to use one as part of the study Exclusion Criteria: * unable to give informed consent due to cognitive limitation, severe mental/physical illness or intoxication * unable to read and/or write to an extent that would limit their ability to comprehend the informed consent * lived in the greater Rio de Janeiro area for \< 3 months or planning to move outside the area within the next year