Couples-Based HIV Prevention in South Africa

描述（由申请人提供）：本次K08研究生涯奖将帮助我发展成为国际HIV行为预防研究的独立研究者。若干培训目标将有助于实现这一目标。我的第一个培训目标是掌握非洲历史、文化和政治（特别是与南非有关的）的高级知识。其他培训目标包括获得在当地社区领导人和组织的合作和支持下进行研究所需的技能和经验，以及研究伦理和具体研究方法方面的培训。我将利用UCSF的艾滋病预防研究中心和全球健康研究所的资源，以及南非索韦托的Chris Hani Baragwanath医院的围产期HIV研究部门的资源来完成这个项目。这个具体的研究项目将探索南非夫妇中艾滋病毒风险行为的预测因素。南非是世界上艾滋病毒阳性人数最多的国家。南非绝大多数艾滋病毒阳性个体是通过异性性行为感染的。然而，关于南非夫妻之间关于性的交流内容的信息很少。此外，还需要更多关于夫妻参与基于夫妻的自愿咨询和检测（VCT）的潜在障碍和促进因素的信息。最终，由于艾滋病毒的风险发生在一对夫妇的背景下，因此双重视角对于预防艾滋病毒是必要的。为了解决我们知识上的这些差距，本研究将利用定性（研究一）和二元水平定量方法（研究二）来调查这些问题。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): This K08 research career award will facilitate my development into an independent investigator in international behavioral HIV prevention research. Several training objectives will assist in the attainment of this goal. My first training objective is to acquire an advanced knowledge of African history, culture and politics (especially related to South Africa). Other training objectives include gaining the skills and experience necessary to conduct research in collaboration and with support from the local community leaders and organizations, as well as training in research ethics and specific research methodologies. The resources of the Center for AIDS Prevention Studies, and the Institute for Global Health at UCSF, as well as through the Perinatal HIV Research Unit at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital in Soweto, South Africa will be available to me for the completion of this project. The specific research project will explore predictors of HIV risk behavior in couples in South Africa. South Africa has the highest number of HIV-positive individuals in the world. The vast majority of HIV-positive individuals in South Africa were infected via heterosexual sex. However, very little information exists regarding the content of communication about sex in couples in South Africa. In addition, more information is needed regarding potential barriers and facilitators for couples to participate in couples-based Voluntary Counseling and Testing (VCT). Ultimately, a dyadic perspective is necessary for HIV prevention, as risk for HIV occurs within the context of a couple. To address these gaps in our knowledge, the proposed study will utilize qualitative (Study I) and dyadic level quantitative methods (Study II) to investigate these issues. The specific aims of the proposed study are to: 1. Identify via qualitative research the content of communication regarding sex with each other (e.g., condom use). 2. Identify via qualitative research the barriers and facilitators of utilizing existing couples-based VCT services. 3. Examine quantitatively how couple-level factors such as communication about sex, relationship factors (e.g., trust), and perception of risk predict couples' sexual risk and participating in couples-based VCT.