A South African Couple-Based HIV Prevention Program: Preliminary Evidence of the Long-Term Effects. (November 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Belus, Jennifer M.; Baucom, Donald H.; Carney, Tara; Carrino, Emily A.; Wechsberg, Wendee M.
• Is Part Of: Journal of the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care. Volume 30:Number 6(2019)
• Page Start: 648
• Page End: 657
• Publication Date: 2019-11
• Subjects: alcohol -- communication -- heterosexual couples -- HIV prevention -- South Africa; AIDS (Disease) -- Nursing -- Periodicals; AIDS (Disease) -- Treatment -- Periodicals; AIDS (Disease) -- Periodicals; HIV infections -- Nursing -- Periodicals; HIV infections -- Treatment -- Periodicals; HIV infections -- Periodicals; 616.97920231
• DOI: 10.1097/JNC.0000000000000074
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1055-3290

Abstract

Abstract: The goal of our study was to provide qualitative data on the long-term effects of a couple-based HIV prevention program, the Couples Health Co-Op (CHC), in South Africa. Qualitative focus group discussions were conducted with nonrandomly selected Black South African men ( n = 27) and women ( n = 23) who had participated in the Couples Health Co-Op 4 to 6 years prior to our study. The study evaluated: (a) salient content and skills learned, (b) long-term changes and challenges, and (c) recommendations for intervention improvement. Findings revealed (a) communication/problem-solving, safe sexual behaviors, and negative effects of alcohol were most salient; (b) long-term changes occurred in communication and healthier sexual behavior; alcohol use remained challenging; and (c) participants recommended continuing the couple format and suggested targeting teenage couples. We offer preliminary evidence of the strengths and weaknesses of the Couples Health Co-Op and provide a basis for future studies to build on these results.