Couples-Based HIV Prevention in South Africa

描述（由申请人提供）：这个K08研究职业奖将促进我的发展成为一个独立的调查员在国际行为艾滋病毒预防研究。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获得非洲历史，文化和政治（特别是与南非有关）的先进知识。 其他培训目标包括获得必要的技能和经验，以便在当地社区领导人和组织的支持下开展合作研究，并进行研究道德和具体研究方法方面的培训。 艾滋病预防研究中心和加州大学旧金山分校全球健康研究所的资源，以及南非索韦托的克里斯哈尼巴拉格瓦纳斯医院的围产期艾滋病毒研究部门的资源，将为我完成这个项目提供帮助。 这项具体的研究项目将探讨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者是通过异性性行为感染的。 然而，关于南非夫妇之间性交流内容的信息很少。 此外，还需要提供更多信息，说明夫妻参与夫妻自愿咨询和检测的潜在障碍和促进因素。 最后，预防艾滋病毒需要一个二元的观点，因为艾滋病毒的风险发生在一对夫妇的背景下。 为了解决这些差距，我们的知识，拟议的研究将利用定性（研究I）和二元水平的定量方法（研究II）来调查这些问题。 拟议研究的具体目标是： 1.通过定性研究确定彼此之间关于性的交流内容（例如，使用避孕套）。 2.通过定性研究确定利用现有夫妇为基础的VCT服务的障碍和便利因素。 3.定量研究夫妻层面的因素，如关于性的沟通，关系因素（例如，信任）和风险感知预测夫妇的性风险和参与夫妇为基础的VCT。

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.