Development of HOPES Intervention for a Randomized Controlled Trial to Reduce the Perceived Stigma Among Women Living With HIV/AIDS in China.

In 30 seconds

This study developed and pilot-tested HOPES, a culturally grounded WeChat program intended to reduce HIV-related stigma among Chinese women living with HIV/AIDS. Development drew on a scoping review, 30 interviews, multidisciplinary consultations, and co-creation with 32 women in Yunnan and Henan. The two-stage, multicenter, prospective nonrandomized controlled pre-post trial found high engagement and qualitative reports of cultural resonance and coping strategies. Participation was associated with reduced perceived stigma and improvements in coping self-efficacy, social support, and emotional well-being; the abstract reports no quantitative effect estimates.

Key findings

• The intervention comprised 12 weekly microdramas delivered through an encrypted WeChat mini-program.
• Participants showed high engagement, and qualitative feedback described cultural resonance and acquisition of coping strategies.
• HOPES participation was associated with lower perceived stigma and improved coping self-efficacy, social support, and emotional well-being.

Why it matters

HIV-related stigma can affect well-being and coping. This study illustrates how an intervention can be shaped around cultural context and delivered through a familiar digital platform. Its preliminary findings support further evaluation of culturally tailored mHealth approaches, while the nonrandomized design means the reported changes do not establish that HOPES caused the improvements.

What to keep in mind

The trial was nonrandomized, and the abstract provides no quantitative effect estimates, limiting assessment of the magnitude of change or causal attribution.