Integrated gender-based violence and HIV Risk reduction intervention for South African men: results of a quasi-experimental field trial.
South Africa is in the midst of one of the world's most devastating HIV/AIDS epidemics and there is a well-documented association between violence against women and HIV transmission. Interventions that target men and integrate HIV prevention with gender-based violence prevention may demonstrate synergistic effects. A quasi-experimental field intervention trial was conducted with two communities randomly assigned to receive either: (a) a five session integrated intervention designed to simultaneously reduce gender-based violence (GBV) and HIV risk behaviors (N = 242) or (b) a single 3-hour alcohol and HIV risk reduction session (N = 233). Men were followed for 1-, 3-, and 6-months post intervention with 90% retention. Results indicated that the GBV/HIV intervention reduced negative attitudes toward women in the short term and reduced violence against women in the longer term. Men in the GBV/HIV intervention also increased their talking with sex partners about condoms and were more likely to have been tested for HIV at the follow-ups. There were few differences between conditions on any HIV transmission risk reduction behavioral outcomes. Further research is needed to examine the potential synergistic effects of alcohol use, gender violence, and HIV prevention interventions.
Department of Psychology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, USA. seth.k@uconn.edu
Seth C
SC
Kalichman
Leickness C
LC
Simbayi
Allanise
A
Cloete
Mario
M
Clayford
Warda
W
Arnolds
Mpumi
M
Mxoli
Gino
G
Smith
Chauncey
C
Cherry
Tammy
T
Shefer
Mary
M
Crawford
Moira O
MO
Kalichman
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015397:Program Evaluation; D040242:Risk Reduction Behavior; D013019:South Africa; D014754:Violence / Q000517:prevention & control*; D055815:Young Adult