HIV Center Areas of Study

Research at the HIV Center is conducted through approximately 50 individual studies involving more than 100 investigators from disciplines including psychology, psychiatry, public health, anthropology, sociology, and social work. Particular emphasis is placed on issues relating to women and gender roles, human sexuality, children and families, and the mental health dimensions of HIV/AIDS. The list below, organized into seven major areas of study, includes both current active studies as well as recently concluded studies that are still producing research findings. International research projects are marked by a diamond symbol (◊) and are also listed as a group at the end of this page.  

GENDER-SPECIFIC INTERVENTIONS FOR WOMEN AND THEIR MALE PARTNERS

Since 1987, the HIV Center has assembled a unique concentration of researchers with expertise on women's issues and has often led the way in tailoring interventions to meet the gender-specific prevention needs of women and their male partners. Areas of current research focus on strategies to promote "dual protection" against pregnancy and disease, understanding women's risk behavior within the context of their relationships with men, and cognitive models used by young heterosexual adults in decision-making. HIV Center work with women is especially global in scope and includes programs in China and sub-Saharan Africa. HIV Center researchers have also been centrally involved with the promotion of research on topical microbicides and the female condom.
 

CURRENT STUDIES:

A Structural Intervention to Promote Women's Health
Theresa Exner, Ph.D.

◊A Structural Intervention to Integrate Reproductive Health into HIV Care
Joanne Mantell, Ph.D.

◊Anal Sex Practices among South African Women and Men 
Joanne Mantell, Ph.D.

Drug Abuse Clinical Trials Network: NY/Long Island Region
Edward Nunes, M.D., and Susan Tross, Ph.D.

◊Female Condom Promotion among South African Students
Joanne Mantell, Ph.D.

HIV/STI Prevention for Drug-Involved Couples
Nabila El-Bassel, D.S.W.

Increasing Dual Protection among Low-Income Minority Women
Theresa Exner, Ph.D.

Microbicide-Use Adherence, Acceptability, and Attitudes among Sexually Active Young Women Participating in a Phase I Microbicide Trial: "Tell Juliana"
Alex Carballo-Diéguez, Ph.D.

Packaging Proven HIV Behavioral Interventions for Use with Underserved and Emergent High-Risk Populations
Susie Hoffman, Dr. Ph.H.

STD/HIV Risk Reduction for African American Couples
Nabila El-Bassel, D.S.W.

 

RECENTLY CONCLUDED STUDIES:

Development of Standard Rectal Microbicide Delivery Device
Alex Carballo-Diéguez, Ph.D.

Health-Related Interventions for Persons Living with HIV
Anke Ehrhardt, Ph.D.

◊HIV Risk Among Migrant Entertainment Industry Workers in Eastern China  
Joanne Mantell, Ph.D.

◊Love, Marriage, and HIV: Gender and HIV Risk
Jennifer Hirsch, Ph.D.

◊Training Service Providers in Dual Protection Counseling in China
Joanne Mantell, Ph.D.

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SEXUAL RISK IN THE CONTEXT OF SAME-SEX BEHAVIOR

Men who have sex with men (MSM) remain a vulnerable population, and among those at highest risk are African-American and Latino MSM in urban settings. By virtue of its location in New York City and its long-term commitment to research that follows the evolution of the epidemic, the HIV Center now has almost two decades of experience in assessing and intervening on same-sex behaviors. HIV Center researchers have also examined the particular prevention needs of lesbians, transgenders, and bisexual men and women.

Development of Standard Rectal Microbicide Delivery Device
Alex Carballo-Diéguez, Ph.D.

HIV Prevention with Men who Use the Internet
Alex Carballo-Diéguez, Ph.D.

◊ Minority Stress, Social Support, and Sexual Risk in South African MSM
Theo Sandfort, Ph.D.

◊ Predictors of HIV Risk Behavior Among Men in Argentina
Alex Carballo-Diéguez, Ph.D.

Rapid HIV Home Tests and Sexual Decision-Making among HIV-Negative MSM
HIV Center Pilot Study
Ana Ventuneac, Ph.D.

Topical Microbicide Acceptability
Alex Carballo-Diéguez, Ph.D.

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MEDICAL ADHERENCE AND COPING WITH THE CONSEQUENCES OF HIV INFECTION

As HIV-infected individuals now live longer and healthier lives, important new issues relating to long-term coping and adaptation to HIV/AIDS have emerged. Given the relative recency of these developments, formative research is essential in understanding the impact of HIV in order to tailor new interventions to improve the lives of those living with HIV and to protect them and their partners from sexually transmitted infections.

CURRENT STUDIES:
 

A Multi-Center Controlled, Observational Clinical Trial of the OraQuick Advance HIV1/ 2 Antibody Test OTC Product Performance in Untrained Users
Alex Carballo-Diéguez, Ph.D.

◊A Multimedia Social Support Intervention: Adherence to HIV Care In South Africa
Robert Remien, Ph.D.

Acute HIV Infection awareness and entry into care among high risk populations
Robert Remien, Ph.D.

Depression Symptoms and Antiretroviral Adherence in HIV-Positive Patients
HIV Center Pilot Study
Mark Bradley, M.D.

◊Developing an HIV Adherence and Sexual Risk Reduction Intervention in the Dominican Republic
HIV Center Pilot Study
Robert Remien, Ph.D. and Alan Berkman, M.D.

◊Using Multimedia Technologies to Disseminate an HIV Prevention Intervention
Susan Witte, Ph.D. and Robert Remien, Ph.D.

RECENTLY CONCLUDED STUDIES:

Health-Related Interventions for Persons Living with HIV
Anke Ehrhardt, Ph.D.

Understanding the Social and Psychological Context of Acute HIV Infection
Anke Ehrhardt, Ph.D.

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CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS

While many research agendas focus solely on the sexual risk of adults, the HIV Center has been committed to understanding the development of sexuality over the lifespan emerging concerns such as the needs of children perinatally infected with HIV who are now entering adolescence and becoming sexually active. The Center has placed particular emphasis on understanding the risks of HIV to children and adolescents, including how they are affected by HIV in their families and communities.

Adolescent Relationships and HIV/STD Risk
Laurie Bauman, Ph.D.

◊Adapting CHAMP+ for South Africa: Supporting HIV-Infected Youth and Families
Claude Ann Mellins, Ph.D.

CHAMP+: Supporting Perinatally HIV-Infected Youth and Their Families
Mary McKay, Ph.D., and Claude Ann Mellins, Ph.D.

Mental Health and Risk in HIV+ Youth and Seroreverters
Claude Ann Mellins, Ph.D.

Reducing Risk Among Highly Vulnerable Youth
Laurie Bauman, Ph.D.
 

RECENTLY CONCLUDED STUDIES:

StaySafe: Reducing Risk Among Adolescents
Laurie Bauman, Ph.D.

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MENTAL HEALTH AND MENTAL ILLNESS

Mental illness and mental health are intricately interwoven with sexual risk for both uninfected and infected populations and have been an important research emphasis of HIV Center investigators. Early work among the severely mentally ill in New York City has resulted in the adaptation of innovative interventions in mental health care settings. The Family Studies Program has focused on understanding mental health needs of families and children affected by HIV.
 

CURRENT STUDIES:

◊Brazilian HIV Prevention for the Severely Mentally Ill
Milton Wainberg, M.D.

The Feasibility and Impact of the Bridge Program upon Accessing HIV Care
HIV Center Pilot Study
Mary Cavaleri, Ph.D., L.C.S.W.

Measuring Mental Illness Stigma: Understanding HIV Risk in Youth with MI
HIV Center Pilot Study
Katherine Elkington, Ph.D.

Mental Health and Risk in HIV+ Youth and Seroreverters
Claude Ann Mellins, Ph.D.
 

RECENTLY CONCLUDED STUDIES:

Stress, Identity, and Mental Health in Diverse Minority Populations
Ilan Meyer, Ph.D.

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BASIC STUDIES IN DEVELOPMENT OF GENDER AND SEXUALITY

In line with the HIV Center's focus on gender and sexuality, Dr. Heino Meyer-Bahlburg has continued his research program on the psychobiology of gender and sexuality development. This program focuses on understanding the role of biological and social factors in the normal development of gender and sexuality by studying the long-term developmental consequences of major prenatal sex-hormone variations due to genetic intersex conditions or to fetal exposure to exogenous hormones for gender-related behavior, gender identity, sexual functioning, and overall quality of life
 

CURRENT STUDIES:

◊Natural History of Rare Genetic Disorders
Maria New, M.D., and Heino Meyer-Bahlburg, Dr. rer. nat.

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ETHICS, POLICY AND SOCIETY

Ethical, policy, and rights issues are embedded in the HIV Center's scientific agenda, particularly in the area of sexuality, gender, treatment access, stigma, and discrimination. In addition, HIV Center investigators have initiated original empirical research in this area.

CURRENT STUDIES:

Organizational Change toward HIV Involvement in Immigrant Religious Organizations
Joanne Mantell, Ph.D and John Chin,

Views of Privacy of Genetic Information
Robert Klitzman, M.D.

Views and Approaches Toward Research Integrity Among IRBs
Robert Klitzman, M.D.

◊Religious Responses to HIV/AIDS in Brazil
Richard Parker, Ph.D.

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INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH PROJECTS

The HIV Center's international agenda particularly focuses on South Africa, Namibia, and Brazil, countries in which we have established research and community partnerships and a funded record of research initiatives. At the same time, we are expanding to other regions, such as Nigeria and China with feasibility, pilot, and training programs.
 

CURRENT STUDIES:

◊A Multimedia Social Support Intervention: Adherence to HIV Care In South Africa
Robert Remien, Ph.D.

◊A Structural Intervention to Integrate Reproductive Health into HIV Care
Joanne Mantell, Ph.D.

◊Adapting CHAMP+ for South Africa: Supporting HIV-Infected Youth and Families
Claude Ann Mellins, Ph.D.

◊Anal Sex Practices among South African Women and Men 
Joanne Mantell, Ph.D.

◊Brazilian HIV Prevention for the Severely Mentally Ill
Milton Wainberg, M.D.

◊Developing an HIV Adherence and Sexual Risk Reduction Intervention in the Dominican Republic
HIV Center Pilot Study
Robert Remien, Ph.D. and Alan Berkman, M.D.

◊Female Condom Promotion among South African Students
Joanne Mantell, Ph.D.

◊ Minority Stress, Social Support, and Sexual Risk in South African MSM
Theo Sandfort, Ph.D.

◊Natural History of Rare Genetic Disorders
Maria New, M.D., and Heino Meyer-Bahlburg, Dr. rer. nat.

◊ Predictors of HIV Risk Behavior Among Men in Argentina
Alex Carballo-Diéguez, Ph.D.

◊Religious Responses to HIV/AIDS in Brazil
Richard Parker, Ph.D.

◊Using Multimedia Technologies to Disseminate an HIV Prevention Intervention
Susan Witte, Ph.D. and Robert Remien, Ph.D.

RECENTLY CONCLUDED STUDIES:

◊HIV Risk Among Migrant Entertainment Industry Workers in Eastern China  
Joanne Mantell, Ph.D.

◊Love, Marriage, and HIV: Gender and HIV Risk
Jennifer Hirsch, Ph.D.

◊Training Service Providers in Dual Protection Counseling in China
Joanne Mantell, Ph.D.

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