Preventing HIV Risk and Violence in Adolescent Boys
Official title: Testing the Efficacy of Safe South Africa: An Intervention to Prevent HIV Risk and Interpersonal Violence Among Adolescent Boys
Funded at American University · NIH-11520175 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A behavioral program for 15–17 year-old boys to reduce HIV risk and intimate partner violence, tested across a global site and then applied in the U.S.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | American University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Washington, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | July 1, 2023 |
| Project end | April 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $126,079 |
| NIH project number | 3R01MH129161-04S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11520175 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adolescent boys aged 15–17 years who are at risk for HIV and IPV and are in school settings.
✕Less likely to help
Adolescents outside the targeted age range or not exposed to the intervention settings may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project uses a developmentally tailored intervention based on social norms to lower HIV/STI risk and IPV among adolescent boys. It will adapt content to school environments and test its efficacy in reducing STI incidence and IPV perpetration. The study enrolls about 836 participants aged 15–17 and compares the new program to usual care to see if it lowers HIV risk behaviors and violence over time.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the program could reduce HIV infections and violence among adolescent boys and inform scalable prevention strategies.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary work showed acceptability and feasibility of integrated HIV-IPV prevention; this trial tests efficacy at scale.
Where this research is happening
-
American University
Washington, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kuo, Caroline Chia — American University
- Study coordinator: Kuo, Caroline Chia
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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.