NIH-funded research R01 grant

Perceived norms about alcohol use and HIV/STI prevention among adolescents and young adults in rural Uganda

Funded at Vanderbilt University · NIH-11400298 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This project explores how young people in rural Uganda think their friends drink and practice HIV/STI prevention, and tests whether sharing real peer norms can influence risky behaviors.

More Alcohol Use research and trials

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionVanderbilt University
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Nashville, UNITED STATES)
Project startSeptember 20, 2024
Project endAugust 31, 2029
Funding year2026
Award (this year)$355,149
NIH project number5R01AA031936-03
Project IDNIH-11400298 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Adolescents and young adults in rural Uganda who are at risk for HIV/STI and who use alcohol.

Less likely to help

Young people outside high HIV-burden settings or those not engaging in alcohol use may see limited direct benefit.

What this research studies

Young people in rural Uganda often misjudge what their peers do regarding drinking and HIV/STI prevention. The study will examine how these misperceptions relate to risky behaviors and health outcomes, using information about actual peer norms to see if it changes attitudes and actions. If successful, the approach could guide programs to reduce HIV transmission by correcting false beliefs about peers. The research will involve community engagement, surveys, and informational materials to compare behavior before and after exposure to accurate norms. The aims center on translating misperception theory into a practical prevention strategy for a high-burden setting.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the project could reduce HIV/STI risk behaviors among youth by correcting false peer-norm beliefs.

How similar studies have gone: Previous US-based trials show that correcting misperceived norms can alter health behaviors, informing this study’s approach in a new setting.

Where this research is happening

  • Vanderbilt University
    Nashville, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Perkins, Jessica M — Vanderbilt University
  • Study coordinator: Perkins, Jessica M

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.