The HIV Center's International Portfolio
Table of International Studies
Below is a listing of currently funded HIV Center research studies, as well as recently completed studies that are still producing scholarly publications.
Within each world region, studies are organized alphabetically by principal investigator. For each study, the funder and project project period are indicated, as are the locations and key populations for each study.
Project Title |
HIV Center Funder and Period |
Locations and key populations |
Brief Project Description |
SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA
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PI: Wafaa El-Sadr, M.D., M.P.H.
NIMH, 2009-2013 |
Lesotho
HIV discordant couples enrolled from antenatal clinics (ANCs) in
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This study aims to develop an “Enhanced Prevention Package” to reduce the risk of HIV acquisition in HIV negative partners. It includes the following interventions: 1) antiretroviral therapy |
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Pathways to Engagement in HIV Care Among Newly-Diagnosed South Africans |
PI: Susie Hoffman, Dr. P.H.
NIMH, 2009-2013 |
Durban, South Africa
Newly diagnosed HIV-positive men and women |
The goals of this study are to determine the most salient influences on enrollment and retention in HIV care that, if addressed, could optimize use of services among newly diagnosed men and women in resource-constrained settings; and to identify, collaboratively with key stakeholders, promising interventions for further development and testing. |
HIV Prevention Efficacy Beliefs about Male Circumcision in South Africa |
PI Joanne Mantell, Ph.D.
amfAR,
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Durban, South Africa
University students at the University of KwaZulu-Natal and health care providers in rural and urban community health centers. |
Male circumcision provides considerable but only partial protection against HIV infection for heterosexual men, and may not protect women. This study is one of the first to qualitatively investigate beliefs about trust/mistrust in the efficacy of male circumcision for HIV prevention, providing data to inform the potential roll-out of male circumcision as an HIV prevention strategy in South Africa. |
A Structural Intervention to Integrate Reproductive Health into HIV Care |
PI: Joanne Mantell, Ph.D. Co-PIs: Theresa Exner, Ph.D.; Susie Hoffman, Ph.D.
NIMH; 2007-12 |
Cape Town, South Africa
HIV-positive women and men accessing HIV care |
This is a multi-level structural intervention that simultaneously addresses stigma and poor access to contraceptive services and introduces best-practices counseling approaches that maximize sexual risk reduction based on clients' personal situations. This study will develop a standardized counseling algorithm and decision-making tool that tailors safer sex, contraception, and fertility messages to HIV-positive individuals' circumstances. It will also develop, implement, and evaluate the efficacy of a proof-of-concept, multi-level structural intervention that integrates reproductive health services into HIV care for HIV-positive women and men. |
| Anal Sex Practices among South African Women and Men |
PI: Joanne Mantell, Ph.D. amfAR, 2007-2010 |
Cape Town, South Africa
Women and men attending public sector sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinics |
Specific aims are to (1) develop culturally-sensitive instruments with key informants that will facilitate discussion of anal sex; (2) describe attitudes about anal sex and microbicides; estimate its prevalence and frequency relative to vaginal sex in this population (N=1,000) and the rate of condom use with anal and vaginal sex; and identify correlates of ever having engaged in anal sex; and (3) explore the practice and meaning of anal sex and how they are structured by the dyadic and social contexts in which it occurs with a subset of 40 STD clients who have had anal sex with opposite-sex partners. |
PI: Joanne Mantell, Ph.D. Co-PIs: Susie Hoffman, Dr.P.H.; Theresa Exner, Ph.D.
NICHD; 2004 – 2010 |
Durban, South Africa
Female university students and their partners |
This study is developing and testing a two-session, culture-specific, group-based female condom negotiation and insertion skills intervention on a South African university campus. The study tests the effectiveness of a cognitive-behavioral skills intervention against an information-only control condition on short- and long-term use of the female condom among 280 women. A qualitative phase will follow during which the university students and their mail partners will be interviewed |
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Health Care Provider’ and Clients’ Perspectives on Male Circumcision in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa |
PI Joanne E. Mantell, Ph.D.
Tibotec REACH, 2008-2009 |
Durban, South Africa
Providers and patients in the public health sector |
The specific study aims are to 1. Explore public sector health care providers’/counseling staff’s knowledge and understanding of male circumcision (MC); 2. Determine how knowledge, understanding, and trust in the efficacy of MC, are associated with support for and intentions to become circumcised or have male children circumcised; and 3. Develop an evidence-based MC Counseling Tool that will assist health care providers. |
A Multimedia Social Support Intervention: Adherence to HIV Care In South Africa (Masivukeni pilot)) |
PI: Robert Remien, Ph.D.
NIMH; 2007-10 |
Western Cape, South Africa
HIV-positive people accompanied by a supportive partner |
The goal of this study is to adapt and pilot test a counselor- and multimedia-driven social support intervention to promote optimal medical care adherence for adult patients accessing ART in SA community based clinics. 66 HIV-positive adult patients at three clinics are participating in a pilot randomized controlled trial of the intervention. They will be randomized either to the active intervention or to "standard of care." |
Health and Psychosocial Need: Children with Developmental Disorder in a Time of HIV |
Co-PI: Claude Ann Mellins, Ph.D. PI: Leslie Davidson, MD |
KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa 5 and 6 year old children from a HIV prevalent area |
With the long term goal of intervening to promote better physical and psychosocial functioning of children in South Africa, this study is determining how the ability of children with neurodevelopmental disorders to function cognitively and socially is influenced by both health-related (HIV, anemia, other infection), contextual (socio-economic and environmental, access to care and therapeutic intervention) and psychosocial factors (caregiver characteristics including mental health and substance use, family functioning). |
| Masivukeni: A Multimedia ART Adherence Intervention for Resource-Limited Settings |
PI: Robert Remien, Ph.D.
NIMH; 2011-15 |
Western Cape, South Africa
HIV-positive people accompanied by a supportive partner |
Masivukeni is an innovative, multi-media computer-based intervention developed by our US-SA research team with SA patients and care providers using community based participatory research methods. Based on Social Action Theory, Masivukeni addresses contextual factors that may promote or impede adherence, and self-regulation and social support factors that can improve behavioral and biological outcomes. The utilization of computer-based technology by counselors working with patients and their treatment support partners enables lay counselors with minimal training and supervision to teach complex medical information and problem-solving skills, with culturally relevant, interactive imagery. The intervention also enhances counselor capacity for screening and making referrals for mental health and substance use problems among patients initiating ART. |
PI: Theo Sandfort, Ph.D.
NIMH R01, |
Townships in the Tshwane/Pretoria area, South Africa
Self-identified men who have sex with men (MSM) |
The aims of the study are (1) to assess the prevalence of HIV among African MSM living in South African townships and identify which behavioral, psychosocial, and network characteristics distinguish infected MSM from non-infected MSM; (2) to identify the structural and psychosocial correlates of sexual risk behavior in these men, with a particular focus on the role of alcohol use; and (3) to describe the social organization of same-sex sexual practices of these men and identify structural and psychosocial factors that affect how these practices are experienced. |
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Minority Stress, Social Support, and Sexual Risk in South African MSM |
PI: Theo Sandfort, Ph.D.
amfAR, |
Greater Pretoria area, South Africa
18 to 40 year old MSM |
This project is conducting a cross-sectional study among a quota sample of18 to 40 year old MSM living, stratified for race, age, and socioeconomic background. The aim of the study is to explore how minority stress, mental health, and social support are related to safer sex practices. Outcomes of this study will inform prevention strategies and subsequent research in South Africa and elsewhere in Africa. |
PI: Theo Sandfort, Ph.D.
A grant from the Open Society Institute of Southern Africa (OSISA) to the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) in Pretoria, South Africa; 2010-2011 |
Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe
Women who have sex with women (WSW), lesbian and bisexual women |
The goal of this study is to examine how women who have sex with women (WSW) perceive and negotiate HIV/STI transmission risks, as well as their health care experiences and needs and the ways in which they are affected by HIV/AIDS. This study aims to build a knowledge base for health programming and policies that address the needs of WSW in four countries in Southern Africa: Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe. Data were collected by means of an anonymous, paper-based survey containing close-ended questions about sexual behaviors, HIV and STI risk behaviors, sexual health care, and preventive practices. Survey respondents were recruited by representatives from a network of collaborating organizations that serve WSW in the participating countries. | |
LATIN AMERICA
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HIV-Prevention Intervention Targets in High-risk Alcohol Venues in Argentina |
PI: Ivan Balan, Ph.D.
NIAAA, 2008-2010 |
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Patrons and staff of venues where alcohol is served and sexual behavior occurs |
This qualitative study consists of site observations of 6 venues, as well as in-depth interviews with patrons, owners/personnel, as well as HIV prevention and alcoholism specialists. Grounded theory will guide the qualitative data analysis, with the venue patron data undergoing a second level of analysis to develop cross-case causal models of HIV risk behavior in the context of alcohol use in these venues. |
PI: Alex Carballo-Diéguez, Ph.D.
NIMH, 2005 - 2010 |
Buenos Aires, Argentina
High-risk MSM living in Buenos Aires |
Targeting high-risk men living in Buenos Aires, the Primary Aims of our study are to (1) assess cognitive, emotional, socio-cultural, and contextual predictors of HIV-related risk behavior; (2) assess patterns of HIV testing in the high-risk male population and factors that facilitate or hinder testing; and (3) assess prevalence and incidence of HIV and STI infections. After a qualitative formative phase, 500 systematically recruited men from the Buenos Aires metropolitan area will undergo (a) a theoretically-based assessment of risk behavior and its psychosocial and contextual predictors as well as barriers and facilitators of HIV testing, and (b) HIV and STI testing. |
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| Love, Marriage, and HIV: Gender and HIV Risk |
PI: Jennifer Hirsch, Ph.D.
NICHD, 2003-2007 |
Degollado, Jalisco, Mexico
Married women and men |
This comparative ethnographic study explores how social and cultural factors influence marital and extramarital intimate relationships and examines the sexual and the HIV prevention practices of men and women engaged in building these relationships across five locations in countries at different stages of the HIV epidemic. By detailing the processes through which contextual factors shape women's risk of marital HIV infection, this study contributes to our understanding of ways to reduce the risk of heterosexual HIV transmission. |
Co-PI: Heino Meyer-Bahlburg, Dr. rer. nat.
NCRR, 2004-2009 |
Sites in the US, Brazil, and France
Individuals with the 46,XX karyotype with congenital adrenal hyperplasia in patient support groups of the Rare Disease Clinical Research Network |
The Rare Disease Clinical Research Network focuses on a diverse group of disorders characterized by defects in steroidogenesis. The Network studies the longitudinal history of these rare disorders and determine the outcome of treatment on height, fertility and gender. Through the Network, this study aims (1) to establish the clinical research network which pools data from the sites in cooperation with the DTCC and analyzes this data, (2) to educate young investigators in the management and clinical research of steroid disorders, and (3) to strengthen connections with patient support groups to enable individuals affected or at risk to have new kinds of input and access to optimal medical care. |
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PI: Richard Parker, Ph.D. Co-PI: Miguel Munoz-Laboy, Dr.P.H.
NICHD, 2005 - 2010 |
Brazil
Catholic, Protestant, and Afro-Brazilian religious organizations that are engaged with HIV/AIDS |
This study seeks to develop a comparative analysis of the nature and reasons for the responses of different religious traditions (at the policy, institutional and population levels) to HIV/AIDS in Brazil. It empirically documents the importance that each religious tradition has given to HIV/AIDS, and the reasons fro doing so and assesses the responses and their interactions with other institutions. |
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PI: Milton Wainberg, M.D.
NIMH; 2002 - 2011 |
Rio de Janeiro. Brazil
Men and women with severe mental illness (SMI) at nine municipal community mental health clinics |
The goal of this study is to build on the successful findings of an NIMH funded pilot study that adapted, refined, and piloted an HIV prevention intervention for men and women with severe mental illness (SMI) in Brazil, based on HIV prevention interventions found to be efficacious for the SMI in the US. Using sites that are representative of outpatient treatment delivery settings across Brazil, the study is conducting an RCT to test the long-term efficacy of our Brazilian HIV Prevention Intervention for men and women with SMI. |
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ASIA
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Training Service Providers in Dual Protection Counseling in China |
PI: Joanne Mantell, Ph.D.
World AIDS Foundation; 2003 - 2006 |
Nanjing, China
Master Trainers from Nanjing College and Kunshan County staff.
Health care providers in the Kunshan County Family Planning Service Center and in township and village-level FP service sites. |
The specific aims of this study are are to: adapt a dual protection (DP) training program for family planning providers and a client education and counseling intervention for use in Chinese family planning service settings; train 10 Master Trainers in DP programming through a Train the Trainers Program and assist them in further training 40-60 health care providers and evaluate the DP training and pilot test and evaluate the adapted intervention. |
HIV Risk Among Migrant Entertainment Industry Workers in Eastern China |
PI: Joanne Mantell, Ph.D.
HIV Center Pilot Studies Program; 2006-2007 |
Eastern China
Migrant entertainment industry workers |
This study seeks to determine the HIV risk behaviors and prevention needs of Migrant entertainment industry workersthis population, which is critical for designing appropriate prevention messages and interventions, in one large entertainment center in Eastern China. Specific study aims are to (1) identify the HIV-related knowledge, attitudes, and risk and prevention behaviors of employees in a large entertainment establishment; (2) characterize the individual and institutional barriers and facilitators to promotion of condom use; and (3) describe the social, cultural, and gendered contexts of migrant life and the entertainment industry that contribute to the HIV sexual and reproductive risk and prevention behaviors of entertainment workers. |
