Research & Publications
The science behind the mission.
Meeting TENTS' programs are grounded in over a decade of peer-reviewed research on HIV testing, stigma reduction, and community health capacity building. Every intervention we deploy has been studied, tested, and refined through this body of work.
Philippines · Active Field Research
Building the HIV Care Continuum in Davao
This ongoing research program — conducted with local partners and the Philippines Department of Health — is building a multi-phase continuum of HIV care for underserved communities in Davao City. Each study below represents one phase of that larger effort.
Increasing Capacity for HIV Testing in Davao, Philippines: An Interdisciplinary Training Approach to Improve Equity in the HIV Care Continuum
Walker DA, Gambe CT, Altamirano KM, et al. Journal of Family Medicine and Disease Prevention, 12:164.
Thirty-one community workers from universities, clinics, nonprofits, religious organizations, and tribal communities were trained and certified in HIV counseling and testing using a train-the-trainer model. Pre-test HIV knowledge averaged 28% — post-test scores jumped to 88%, a statistically significant increase (p < 0.001). This study represents Phase 4 of a planned eight-phase continuum of care research program for the Philippines.
Read full study →Increasing HIV Knowledge among Community Workers: Optimizing the Continuum of Care in Davao, Philippines
Walker DA, Gambe CT, Ustach CJ, Altamirano K, Templeton SJ, et al. Journal of Family Medicine and Disease Prevention, 7:143.
An earlier-phase study training 18 community workers in Davao using HIV train-the-trainer sessions. HIV knowledge improved from 57.55% to 79.27% (p = 0.003), establishing the community-based methodology that now drives Meeting TENTS' Philippines programs. This study laid the groundwork for the expanded 2025 certification program.
Read full study →Foundational Research · 2018–2019
The research that shaped our approach
Before launching programs in the Philippines, Meeting TENTS' lead researcher spent years studying HIV testing barriers, stigma, and community health interventions across sub-Saharan Africa. These studies directly inform the methodology used in the field today.
Overcoming Barriers to Improve HIV Education and Public Health Outcomes in the Democratic Republic of Congo
Walker DA, Johnson KL, Thomas TB, Dorgo S, Moore JS. Journal of Family Medicine and Disease Prevention, 5:100.
A literature review of 36 sources examining HIV education barriers in the Democratic Republic of Congo — a country with critically low testing rates and drastically high HIV incidence. Found that partnerships with community-based spiritual leaders, gender-role awareness, and culturally-sensitive models were essential to effective programs. These findings directly shaped Meeting TENTS' community-led approach to HIV education.
Read full study →Stigma Related to Fear and Shame Restricts Access to HIV Testing and Treatment in Tanzania
Walker DA, Johnson KL, Moore JS. Journal of Family Medicine and Disease Prevention, 5:099.
A review of 20 studies in Tanzania — one of 15 nations sharing 75% of the global HIV burden — found that fear, blame, and shame-based stigma were the primary barriers to testing. Gender power dynamics were a key factor. Community-based programs partnered with religious organizations were the most effective at reducing stigma, supporting the case for Meeting TENTS' faith-community partnerships in the field.
Read full study →Stigma Remains a Significant Barrier to HIV Knowledge and Treatment in Zambia
Walker DA, Johnson KL, Moore JS. Journal of Family Medicine and Disease Prevention, 5:096.
A review of 22 studies in Zambia found that even in a country with relatively high testing infrastructure, stigma continues to block access to care. Fear of involuntary status disclosure while filling prescriptions for antiretroviral medications was a key driver of treatment refusal. The study proposes train-the-trainer programs targeting women — particularly teachers — as HIV educators and stigma reducers.
Read full study →Understanding the Multidimensional Factors that Influence HIV Testing among Women in the Democratic Republic of Congo
Walker DA. Doctoral dissertation, Interdisciplinary Health Sciences Program, University of Texas at El Paso.
Dr. Walker's doctoral dissertation examined the multidimensional social, cultural, and structural barriers preventing women in the Democratic Republic of Congo from accessing HIV testing. This foundational work established the PRECEDE-PROCEED framework and community-based research methodologies that Meeting TENTS continues to apply across all programs today.
Read full dissertation →Research becomes impact when people give.
Every program Meeting TENTS runs is evidence-based. Your donation funds the fieldwork that puts these findings to work for the communities that need it most.
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