Funding Source and Project Period: NIMH, 2005-2011

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 Asociación Civil (Buenos Aires):
Co-Investigator: Rubén 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 Proyecto LINKS. Targeting high-risk men living in Buenos Aires, the primary aims of this 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. It is expected that 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.


Proyecto LINKS is a 5 year study consisting of two phases: a formative phase and an assessment phase. The formative phase, which is qualitative in nature, consists 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 men from the Buenos Aires metropolitan area were systematically recruited using Respondent Driven Sampling (RDS). As part of their participation in the study, they completed a theoretically-based assessment exploring their risk behavior, its psychosocial and contextual predictors, and their HIV testing history and experiences. Afterwards, they underwent HIV and STI testing. Data collection has been completed and data analysis and manuscript preparation are now underway to disseminate findings.