A South African Couple-Based HIV Prevention Program: Preliminary Evidence of the Long-Term Effects

J Assoc Nurses AIDS Care. 2019 Nov-Dec;30(6):648-657. doi: 10.1097/JNC.0000000000000074.

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.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Black People
  • Communication*
  • Family Characteristics*
  • Female
  • Focus Groups
  • HIV Infections / prevention & control*
  • Humans
  • Interpersonal Relations*
  • Interviews as Topic
  • Male
  • Qualitative Research
  • Risk Reduction Behavior*
  • Sexual Behavior / psychology*
  • Sexual Partners / psychology*
  • South Africa
  • Spouses / psychology*
  • Time Factors
  • Young Adult