This R34 application is seeks 3 years of support to develop and conduct a preliminary pilot test of an HIV/STI risk-reduction intervention for university students in South Africa. This research has great public health relevance because Sub-Saharan African countries, including South Africa, have a generalized HIV epidemic and the highest rates of HIV/AIDS in the world. The primary mode of infection in South Africa, as in most Sub-Saharan African countries, is heterosexual contact. In a generalized HIV epidemic, curbing sexual transmission of HIV requires behavioral interventions to reach all populations that engage in risk behavior. Few studies have tested HIV sexual risk-reduction interventions specific to university students in Sub-Saharan African countries with a generalized epidemic. Accordingly, the broad, long-term objective of the proposed research is to identify interventions to dissuade university students in Sub-Saharan Africa from engaging in HIV sexual risk behaviors.
The Specific Aims are to; (a) develop a theory-based, contextually relevant HIV sexual risk-reduction intervention, (b) conduct a pilot test of its efficacy as compared with a health-promotion control intervention on health issues unrelated to sexual behavior, (c) explore whether participants' gender or nationality moderates its efficacy, and (d) determine the mediators of its efficacy. The approach draws on social cognitive theory, the theory of reasoned action, the theory of planned behavior, and formative research with the study population. The primary outcome is frequency of unprotected intercourse in the previous 3 months collected preintervention and at 6- and 12- month follow-up via audio-computer-assisted self-interviewing (ACASI). Secondary outcomes include incidence of abstinence, multiple sexual partners, and consistent condom use and theoretical mediator variables, including intentions, beliefs, and self-efficacy. This exploratory research will yield valuable preliminary data to support a subsequent R01 to implement a full-scale clustered randomized control trial to test the efficacy of a HIV sexual risk-reduction intervention for university students in a region of the world where a generalized HIV epidemic is taking a most devastating human toll. ? ? ?

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Type
Planning Grant (R34)
Project #
1R34MH078803-01A2
Application #
7496315
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZMH1-ERB-H (03))
Program Officer
Pequegnat, Willo
Project Start
2008-04-01
Project End
2011-03-31
Budget Start
2008-04-01
Budget End
2009-03-31
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2008
Total Cost
$301,546
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Pennsylvania
Department
Type
Other Domestic Higher Education
DUNS #
042250712
City
Philadelphia
State
PA
Country
United States
Zip Code
19104
Heeren, G Anita; Jemmott 3rd, John B; Marange, C Show et al. (2018) Health-Promotion Intervention Increases Self-Reported Physical Activity in Sub-Saharan African University Students: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study. Behav Med 44:297-305
Zhang, Jingwen; Jemmott 3rd, John B; Heeren, G Anita (2017) Sub-Saharan African University Students' Beliefs about Abstinence, Condom Use, and Limiting the Number of Sexual Partners. Behav Med 43:9-20
Jemmott 3rd, John B; Heeren, G Anita; Sidloyi, Lulama et al. (2014) Caregivers' intentions to disclose HIV diagnosis to children living with HIV in South Africa: a theory-based approach. AIDS Behav 18:1027-36
Batidzirai, Jesca Mercy; Heeren, G Anita; Marange, C Show et al. (2014) Wake-Up. A Health Promotion Project for Sub-Saharan University Students: Results of Focus Group Sessions. Mediterr J Soc Sci 5:346-254
Heeren, G Anita; Mandeya, Andrew; Jemmott, John B et al. (2014) Multiple partners and condom use among students at a South African University. J Evid Based Soc Work 11:437-44
Heeren, G Anita; Jemmott 3rd, John B; Ngwane, Zolani et al. (2013) A randomized controlled pilot study of an HIV risk-reduction intervention for sub-Saharan African university students. AIDS Behav 17:1105-15
Heeren, G Anita; Mandeya, Andrew; Marange, C Show et al. (2013) Health Promotion Project for University Students at a South African University: Results of a Pilot Survey. J Hum Behav Soc Environ 23:967-971
Heeren, G Anita; Jemmott 3rd, John B; Mandeya, Andrew et al. (2012) Sexual attitudes and behaviour of university students at a rural South African University: Results of a Pilot Survey. J Hum Behav Soc Environ 22:1021-1032
Heeren, G Anita; Jemmott 3rd, John B; Sidloyi, Lulama et al. (2012) Disclosure of HIV Diagnosis to HIV-Infected Children in South Africa: Focus Groups for Intervention Development. Vulnerable Child Youth Stud 7:47-54
Heeren, G Anita (2011) Changing methods of disclosure. Literature review of disclosure to children with terminal illnesses, including HIV. Innovation (Abingdon) 24:199-208

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