Four-Arm RCT of Brief MI vs. Couples-Based HIV/STI Prevention in South Africa

One of the four RCT arms will be comprised of couples randomly assigned to testing and counseling on HIV and associated STI co-infections based on revised procedures developed by the CDC. Couples will receive information on the transmission and prevention of HIV and STIs, the meaning of test results, and health consequences. Randomized trial studies of behavioral interventions have incorporated testing and counseling as a comparison condition and studies in the US and SSA countries have shown that testing and counseling on its own can help to reduce HIV/STI risk behaviors.

The brief motivational interview (BMI) to be tested in the RCT in Pretoria is a one-session, 45 minute intervention that will coordinate three, 15-minute modules with one module each to (1) reduce hazardous drinking; (2) reduce illicit drug use; and (3) promote condom use. Each module is delivered by the clinician using a two-sided laminated card that includes scripted questions and visual aids. Consistent with brief intervention models, the BMI intervention is delivered during one 45 minute session with advice giving as a primary characteristic. Motivational interviewing is also incorporated within the BMI intervention by using a client-centered method of communication to foster behavior change through five techniques of expressing empathy, developing discrepancy, avoiding argumentation, supporting self-efficacy, and motivational rules.

The IFCBT model is 6 sessions in length and coordinates the delivery of 4 cognitive-behavioral group couples' sessions with 2 individual couples' sessions to prevent HIV and STI co-infections among adult drug users. IFCBT targets HIV risk and protective factors that operate across multiple ecological systems. The four group couples' sessions coordinate Rational Emotive Therapy and Problem Solving Therapy strategies to reduce HIV risk behavior and promote protective behaviors. The two individual couples' sessions utilize structural and strategic approaches to promote adaptive communication and shared responsibility for condom use and gender equality and to directly address and reduce any form of abuse between partners when present. The six IFCBT sessions are delivered during a 2-week period with two group couples' sessions and one individual couples' session each week.

Participants assigned to this experimental arm will receive Brief Motivational Interviewing combined with Integrated Family and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.

Participants assigned to this experimental arm will receive Brief Motivational Interviewing combined with Integrated Family and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.