Couples in Context

STATUS: Current
PROJECT LEADER:Van Rooyen, HE (Prof. Heidi)
OTHER TEAM MEMBERS: Joseph, PK (Mr Philip)
DEPARTMENT RESPONSIBLE: ()
RESEARCH OUTPUTS: Uthando Lwethu ('our love'): a protocol for a couples-based intervention to increase testing for HIV: a randomized controlled trial in rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
DATASETS: View Datasets

Abstract

Couples-based voluntary counselling and testing (VCT) is a proven strategy to reduce the risk of HIV transmission between partners due to both partners learning their own and their partner???s HIV status. However, uptake of couples-based VCT has often been low. To address this shortcoming, this study will test the efficacy of a behavioural intervention program to increase uptake for couples-based VCT and reduce sexual risk behaviour for HIV among couples living in the Gezubuso community, a rural area in the Msunduzi Municipality of Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa. The study is a 5 year behavioural intervention that uses a comprehensive approach that includes such components as education and skills-building in couples?? communication to improve communication, intimacy and trust necessary for mutual decision-making about behaviours related to sexual risk behaviour and testing for HIV. We believe that Improving couples??? ability and motivation to participate in VCT for HIV will in turn lead to reductions in sexual risk behaviour. Both of these outcomes are necessary and effective strategies to reduce the risk of HIV transmission within primary partnerships.

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