Background:After diagnosis, a substantial number of people with HIV disease fall out of care. Effective interventions are needed for this priority population.Methods:The “Peers Keep It Real” study aimed to help adults who were disengaged from HIV treatment. Peers, lay individuals living with HIV, facilitated intervention sessions. Participants were randomized to immediately receive the peer-facilitated intervention or were wait-listed.Results:Considerable attrition occurred in the control group. Pre-/postanalyses showed that among participants (n = 23) who received the intervention, 65% had viral load suppression and 100% remained in care at 12 months postintervention. Impact on viral load was significant (P = .0326), suggesting that peers are effective change agents who positively impacted outcomes for individuals struggling with adherence to HIV treatment.Conclusion:Future endeavors should consider providing all individuals from this priority population with an active peer intervention from the onset to enhance retention and adherence.

Poor and racial/ethnic minority women comprise the majority of women living with HIV (WLH) in the United States. Race, gender, class, and HIV-based stigmas and inequities limit women’s powers over their health and compromise their quality of life. To help WLH counter this powerlessness, we implemented a photovoice project called Picturing New Possibilities (PNP), and explored how women experienced empowerment through photovoice. PNP participants (N = 30) photographed their life experiences, attended 3 group discussions and a community exhibit of their photos, and completed a follow-up interview. We used strategies of Grounded Theory to identify key empowerment themes. Participants described empowerment through enhanced self-esteem, self-confidence, critical thinking skills, and control. Our findings suggest that photovoice is an important tool for WLH. It offers women a way to access internal strengths and use these resources to improve their quality of life and health.