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.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Vanderbilt University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Nashville, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | September 20, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $355,149 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AA031936-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-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
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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.