This subproject is submitted with the renewal application of the Caribbean Exploratory Research Center University of the Virgin Islands (UVI)in response to the NIMHD Exploratory Centers of Excellence (P20),RFA-MD-11-002. This project is a randomized clinical trial (RCT) to test an intervention designed to reduce the risk of intimate partner violence and associated risks of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) including HIV infection in African Caribbean women in the US Virgin Islands.
The specific aims are to 1) combine and adapt an intimate partner violence empowerment ilntervention with an HIV prevention intervention 2) establish treatment fidelity procedures and 3) conduct a preliminary test of the combined intervention with women in the US Virgin Islands. The proposed intervention study builds on an ongoing study of intimate partner violence (IPV) being conducted as a collaborative project by investigators at the Caribbean ExploratoryResearch Center, UVI with researchers at several major mainland universities. The study in progress is titled Abuse Status and Health Consequences for African American and African Caribbean Women. It is a case control comparison of women living in the US Virgin Islands with women on the mainland (Baltimore, USA) who are seeking health care. The ongoing study is the first of its kind conducted in the US Virgin Islands. Intimate partner violence (IPV) includes physical, and/or sexual assault or threats by an intimate partner (current or former spouse, dating or other partner). The investigators will build on our work on intimate partner violence (IPV) in the US Virgin Islands and the increased risk it poses for abused women for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections by developing and conducting a preliminary test of a culturally tailored health care system based intervention. The research design will first engage abused women, health care professionals and domestic violence program workers (living in and/or native Virgin Islanders) in focus groups to help the investigators with the adaptation and integration of a cultural and linguistically appropriate intervention tailored for this population. We will then conduct a preliminary test of the intervention in a randomized clinical trial.

Public Health Relevance

This study is of significant public health import. Decreasing violence and abuse in the lives of women as well as reducing their risks for sexually transmitted diseases, especially HIV infection can improve the lives of women in the Territory and is an important imperative for the Territory linked to increased quality of life and productivity of the women and significant decreases in health care costs.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD)
Type
Exploratory Grants (P20)
Project #
5P20MD002286-08
Application #
8644147
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZMD1)
Project Start
2014-04-01
Project End
2017-03-31
Budget Start
2014-04-01
Budget End
2015-03-31
Support Year
8
Fiscal Year
2014
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of the Virgin Islands
Department
Type
DUNS #
City
St. Thomas
State
VI
Country
United States
Zip Code
00802
Gary, Faye A; Yarandi, Hossein; Evans, Edris et al. (2018) Beck Depression Inventory-II: Factor Analyses with Three Groups of Midlife Women of African Descent in the Midwest, the South, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Issues Ment Health Nurs 39:233-243
Campbell, Jacquelyn C; Anderson, Jocelyn C; McFadgion, Akosoa et al. (2018) The Effects of Intimate Partner Violence and Probable Traumatic Brain Injury on Central Nervous System Symptoms. J Womens Health (Larchmt) 27:761-767
Alexander, Kamila A; St Vil, Noelle M; Braithwaite-Hall, Marilyn A et al. (2017) 'Some men just don't want to get hurt': perspectives of U.S. Virgin Islands men toward partner violence and HIV risks. Ethn Health :1-16
St Vil, Noelle M; Sabri, Bushra; Nwokolo, Vania et al. (2017) A Qualitative Study of Survival Strategies Used by Low-Income Black Women Who Experience Intimate Partner Violence. Soc Work 62:63-71
Sloand, Elizabeth; Killion, Cheryl; Yarandi, Hossein et al. (2017) Experiences of violence and abuse among internally displaced adolescent girls following a natural disaster. J Adv Nurs 73:3200-3208
Campbell, Doris W; Campbell, Jacquelyn C; Yarandi, Hossein N et al. (2016) Violence and abuse of internally displaced women survivors of the 2010 Haiti earthquake. Int J Public Health 61:981-992
Sabri, Bushra; Holliday, Charvonne N; Alexander, Kamila A et al. (2016) Cumulative Violence Exposures: Black Women's Responses and Sources of Strength. Soc Work Public Health 31:127-39
Gabriel, Naïka C; Sloand, Elizabeth; Gary, Faye et al. (2016) ""The women, they maltreat them… therefore, we cannot assure that the future society will be good"": Male perspectives on gender-based violence: A focus group study with young men in Haiti. Health Care Women Int 37:773-89
Sabri, Bushra; Huerta, Julia; Alexander, Kamila A et al. (2015) Multiple Intimate Partner Violence Experiences: Knowledge, Access, Utilization and Barriers to Utilization of Resources by Women of the African Diaspora. J Health Care Poor Underserved 26:1286-303
Sloand, Elizabeth; Killion, Cheryl; Gary, Faye A et al. (2015) Barriers and Facilitators to Engaging Communities in Gender-Based Violence Prevention following a Natural Disaster. J Health Care Poor Underserved 26:1377-90

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