SEXUAL RISK IN THE CONTEXT OF SAME-SEX BEHAVIOR (Spanish
version)
Grant Title: Predictors of HIV Risk Behavior Among Men in Argentina
Funding Source and Project Period: NIMH, R01; 2005 - 2010
Collaborating Institutions and Key Personnel:
HIV Center:
Principal Investigator: Alex Carballo-Diéguez, Ph.D.
Co-Investigators: Iván Balán, Ph.D.; Curtis Dolezal, Ph.D.
University of Buenos Aires:
Co-Principal Investigator: María M. Avila, Ph.D.
Co-Investigator: María de los Angeles Pando, Lic.
Nexo Associacion Civil (Buenos Aires):
Co-Investigator: Ruben Marone, Lic.
Medical Specialist: Luis Squiquera, M.D.
Ethnography Supervisor: Victoria Barreda, Lic.
Project Overview: Although the AIDS epidemic has not devastated Latin
America to the degree seen in other parts of the world, there is concern that
unless consistent prevention efforts are made now it can wreak havoc on the
continent in the coming decade. In Argentina, it is estimated that there are
130,000 HIV-infected adults resulting in a prevalence rate of 0.7%, which
matches Brazil's for highest in South America. Among high-risk men, HIV
prevalence can reach as high as 13.8% in certain surveys. Yet, there is a dearth
of knowledge concerning psychosocial and contextual factors associated with
unsafe sex on which to base HIV-prevention programs. This gap in knowledge will
be addressed by our study. 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. Overall, the study seeks to foster a mutually enriching
collaborative relationship between the US- and Argentina-based research partners
on which to build a future intervention program to decrease risk behavior among
men in Argentina.
This will be a 4.5- year study consisting of two phases: a formative phase and
an assessment phase. The formative phase, which will be qualitative in nature,
will consist of: (a) individual in-depth interviews with System Representatives
and Gatekeepers; (b) focus groups and individual interviews with high risk men;
and (c) site observations of places where men meet. During the assessment 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. During this assessment phase, we will
use both Respondent Driven Sampling to recruit an unbiased sample and CASI
technology to minimize respondent bias. Grounded theory will guide the
qualitative data analysis, and quantitative data analysis will include GLM, GEE,
and linear and logistic regression methods. By the end of the study, we will
have solid data that will serve as the basis for the development of HIV
prevention programs specifically designed for high-risk men in Buenos Aires.
This study will contribute to identifying psychological, cultural, and
environmental factors that encourage HIV-risk behavior among men in Argentina.
This is a fundamental step prior to designing programs that mitigate those
factors and result in decreased risk.
Publications and Presentation Abstracts:
None to date.
Update: 6/23/05 Study Personnel Only |
