Couples-focused HIV prevention program
Official title: A couples-based HIV biobehavioral prevention intervention
Funded at University of Central Florida · NIH-11251327 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A brief three-session program for adult couples to learn about HIV prevention options like PrEP and treatment and get support to use them consistently.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Central Florida NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Orlando, United States) |
| Project start | July 15, 2023 |
| Project end | December 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $764,865 |
| NIH project number | 5R01MD018963-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11251327 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adult couples (generally 21 or older) in a relationship where one or both partners may be at risk for HIV or one partner is living with HIV, who are willing to participate together and provide home or clinic samples.
✕Less likely to help
Single people, couples unwilling to participate together or provide biological samples, or those already consistently protected and adherent to prevention/treatment may not receive direct benefit.
What this research studies
If you and your partner join, you'll take part in three sessions that mix clear medical information about PrEP and HIV treatment with practical relationship and communication skills. Much of the program can be done remotely, and the study team will use objective biomarkers (for example, blood or swab tests) to track how well prevention medications are being used. The trial includes couples regardless of whether one, both, or neither partner has HIV and builds on a small pilot that found the approach acceptable. The study aims to strengthen prevention steps couples can take together and measure whether those changes lead to better protection from HIV.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the program could help couples improve protection against HIV by increasing knowledge, medication adherence, and relationship support for prevention.
How similar studies have gone: Small pilot trials of this couples approach showed feasibility and promising signals, but larger trials are still needed to confirm real-world effectiveness.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Central Florida
Orlando, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Martinez, Omar — University of Central Florida
- Study coordinator: Martinez, Omar
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.