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Testing the Efficacy of Safe South Africa: An Intervention to Prevent HIV Risk and Interpersonal Violence Among Adolescent Boys

Award Number: R01MH129161
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF MENTAL HEALTH
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 07/01/2023
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 04/30/2028

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Testing the Efficacy of Safe South Africa: An Intervention to Prevent HIV Risk and Interpersonal Violence Among Adolescent Boys - Adolescence presents an ideal developmental transition period for an integrated intervention targeting prevention of HIV risk behaviors and intimate partner violence (IPV), including sexual violence. Adolescent boys in particular are at high risk for HIV and perpetration of IPV. Yet, few behavioral interventions integrate HIV-IPV prevention and are tailored for the unique developmental needs of adolescent boys. In this study, we build on previous scientific work that demonstrated the acceptability and feasibility of Safe South Africa, an integrated HIV-IPV intervention that uses a developmentally-tailored approach grounded in social norms theory to prevent adolescent HIV risk behavior and IPV. We work in South Africa, a country with the largest HIV epidemic and some of the highest rates of IPV in the world. We propose the following specific aims: (1) Tailoring Safe South Africa intervention content to address the unique behavioral and social norms data that drives HIV and IPV behaviors among boys in their socioecological environments. (2) Testing the efficacy of the Safe South Africa intervention in preventing HIV/STIs and reducing IPV frequency among N=836 adolescent boys (ages 15- 17), with our working hypothesis that the intervention, relative to the usual care condition, will show (a) lower incidence of any STI (including HIV); and (b) reductions in IPV perpetration frequency and decreased endorsement of IPV supportive attitudes. (3) Identifying barriers and facilitators to implementing Safe South Africa within a school setting to provide data for future dissemination (presuming Safe South Africa is efficacious). We examine processes critical to future dissemination through (a) fidelity data examining adherence to core active components of the standardized intervention manual guiding consistent delivery of the intervention; and (b) qualitative data on the experience during and post-implementation from adolescents and stakeholders using N=20 in-depth interviews.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2025 ( Subtotal = $548,962 )
2025	2025	AMERICAN UNIVERSITY	4400 MASSACHUSETTS AVE NW	WASHINGTON	DC	20016	DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA	USA	Mental Health Research Grants	001	3	7/31/2025	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$254,348
2025	2025	AMERICAN UNIVERSITY	4400 MASSACHUSETTS AVE NW	WASHINGTON	DC	20016	DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA	USA	Mental Health Research Grants	002	3	8/12/2025	SUPPLEMENT FOR EXPANSION	$294,614
2025	2024	AMERICAN UNIVERSITY	4400 MASSACHUSETTS AVE NW	WASHINGTON	DC	20016	DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA	USA	Mental Health Research Grants	000	2	10/25/2024	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$0
														Subtotal = $548,962

Issue Date FY: 2024 ( Subtotal = $567,917 )
2024	2024	AMERICAN UNIVERSITY	4400 MASSACHUSETTS AVE NW	WASHINGTON	DC	20016	DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA	USA	Mental Health Research Grants	000	2	4/24/2024	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$567,917
														Subtotal = $567,917

Issue Date FY: 2023 ( Subtotal = $684,756 )
2023	2023	AMERICAN UNIVERSITY, THE	4400 MASSACHUSETTS AVE, NW	WASHINGTON	DC	20016	DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA	USA	Mental Health Research Grants	000	1	4/19/2023	NEW	$684,756
														Subtotal = $684,756

Grand Total All Awards = $1,801,635

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Testing the Efficacy of Safe South Africa: An Intervention to Prevent HIV Risk and Interpersonal Violence Among Adolescent Boys

Award Number: R01MH129161

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF MENTAL HEALTH

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 07/01/2023

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 04/30/2028

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