Enhancing Multiple Long-Term Conditions (MLTC) management for HIV populations through Implementation research, evidence-based interventions, and integration of NCD care in LMIC contexts with a focus on Viability and Equity (HIVE)

Research Project Description:

This is a 3-year, multi-country project that aims to promote and implement an integrated care and management of HIV and concomitant Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), by leveraging an mHealth application tailored for the (self-)management of multiple long-term conditions for People Living With HIV (PLWH). This initiative also incorporates interpersonal counselling (IPC) for vital psychosocial support and integration of NCDs care into HIV clinics. The mHealth application will build on an existing digital health tool developed by HIVE partner, Columbia University, which has already been piloted in several low- and middle-income countries. The project aims to extend and customize the application for diverse high-income countries (HICs) and low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), including Kenya, Kazakhstan, Greece and Malta, addressing the unique needs of PLWH in different disease settings and cultural contexts. The goal is to mitigate the disparities in access to health for PLWH in different countries as well as the inequalities that are being faced among different population groups within each participating country.

Principal Investigator(s) and Coordinating Institution(s):

  • Dr Eleni L. Tolma (University of Nicosia – UNIC)
  • Dr Yanis Ben Amor ( Columbia University)

Coordinating institution:

  • University of Nicosia

Researchers  and other staff from the University of Nicosia Medical School:

  • Dr Eleni L. Tolma
  • Dr Danai Malti
  • Dr Tania Garcia
  • Dr Despo Ierodiakonou
  • Dr Souzanna Achilleos
  • Dr Annalisa Quatrocchi
  • Dr Constantinos Koshiaris
  • Dr Elena Critselis
  • Dr Pascale Salameh
  • Dr Yahya Wehbeh

Website: https://hivehealth.eu

**Other Researcher(s) Participating in the Project:

This pioneering project is private-public partnership formed by a multi-stakeholder consortium of 15 organizations. The Consortium includes:

  • Dr Eleni L. Tolma, Dr Despo Ierodiakonou, Dr Souzanna Achilleos, Dr Annalisa Quatrocchi, Dr Constantinos Koshiaris, Dr Elena Critselis, and Dr Pascale Salameh (University of Nicosia)
  • Dr Yanis Ben Amor, Dr Nuhad Dumit, Dr Gladys Honein (Columbia University)
  • Dr Joanna Alves, Dr Sonia Dias, Dr Ana Gama, Dr Marta Marques, Dr Julian Perelam (NOVA University Lisbon)
  • Dr Eirini Apostolides, Dr Maria Gamaletsou, Dr Elpida Mastrogianni, Dr Mina Psichoyiou, Dr Nicolaos Sipsas (National Kapodistrian University of Athens)
  • Dr Christos Chatzichristos, Dr Thanasis Kakasis, Dr Marianna Panayiotidou, Dr Gerasimina Panitsa, Dr Ali Saad, Dr Nefeli Tzavara, Dr Kassiani Zafeirouli, Dr Angeliki Zafeiri (AINIGMA Technologies)
  • Dr Demetris Asimopoulos, Dr Pavlos Bouzinis, Dr Alexandra Giola, Dr Stathis Mavridopoulos, Dr Nicolaos Ntampakis, Dr Panayiotis Grammatikis, Dr Georgios Tsoumplekas (METAMIND INNOVATIONS IKE)
  • Dr Angelos Hatzakis, Dr Sotirios Roussos, Dr Vana Sypsa, ( Hellenic Scientific Society for the Study of AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Diseases)
  • Dr Sophia Karagiorgou, Dr Aristides Tsitirides (UBITECH)
  • DrMonika Kuliese, Dr Aukse Mickiene, Dr Renata Paukstaitiene ( Lithuanian University of Health Sciences)
  • Dr Caroline Jane, Dr Emma Saliba, Dr Aaron Schembri (Ministry of Health and Active Ageing in Malta)
  • Dr Valentine Sing’oei, Dr Dickens Onyango (HJF Medical Research International, Inc.)
  • Dr Anastasios Vasiliadis (Institute of Entrepreneurship Development Estonia OÜ)
  • Dr Gaukhar Mergenova (The Center for scientific-practical initiatives, Social Fund)

Other Participating Institution(s): Above institutions and ETOS LIGAL SALYUSHANS , SINOPSIS SOCIALLY INTEGRATED INNOVATION S.R.L

Research Project Acronym: HIVE

UNIC Participating Institution: The UNIC Medical School is the leading institution in the coordination of the grant.

Funding Agency: This project is supported entirely by the European Union’s HORIZON-RIA program.

Horizon Europe (HORIZON)

Grant agreement number: 101226666

Type of Action:  RIA (Research and Innovation Action)

UNIC/UNRF Budget: 403,625 Euros

Total Research Project Budget: Total EU funding: 3,999,675

Research Project Status: Not started yet, we are in the process of preparing the grant agreement

Start and End Dates: Start Date 07/01/2025 – End Date 6/31/2028