title: A Group Intervention for HIV/STI Risk Reduction among Indian Couples.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  HIV in India is transmitted primarily by heterosexual contact. The present study sought to test the feasibility of a group HIV/STI risk re-duction intervention among heterosexual couples in India.
  
  
  METHODS
  Focus groups and key informant interviews were used in 2008 to cul-turally tailor the intervention. Thirty sexually active and HIV/STI negative cou-ples were enrolled and assessed regarding risk behavior and sexual barrier accept-ability. Gender-concordant group sessions used cognitive behavioral strategies for HIV/STI prevention.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At baseline, male condom use was low (36%); no participants re-ported use of female condoms or vaginal gels. HIV knowledge was low; women had more HIV knowledge and more positive attitudes towards con-dom use than men. Post-intervention, willingness to use all barrier products (t = 10.0, P< .001) and intentions to avoid risk behavior increased (t = 5.62, P< .001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study illustrates the feasibility of utilizing a group interven-tion to enhance HIV/STI risk reduction among Indian couples.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education & Research, Chandigarh, India.
authors.forename: Ritu
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Nehra
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education & Research, Chandigarh, India.
authors.forename: Rashmi
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bagga
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, USA.
authors.forename: Deborah
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education & Research, Chandigarh, India.
authors.forename: Deepika
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Deepika
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education & Research, Chandigarh, India.
authors.forename: Sunil
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sethi
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education & Research, Chandigarh, India.
authors.forename: Sunil
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sharma
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education & Research, Chandigarh, India.
authors.forename: Stephen M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Weiss
keywords: HIV; India; Intervention; STI; Sexual barrier