Understanding how peer norms around alcohol and HIV prevention affect adolescents and young adults in rural Uganda
Official title: Perceived Norms About Alcohol Use and HIV/STI Prevention among Adolescents and Young Adults in Rural Uganda
Funded at Vanderbilt University · NIH-11616487 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project studies how what young people think their peers do or approve of influences drinking and HIV prevention behaviors in rural Uganda, with the goal of improving health outcomes.
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) | $243,029 |
| NIH project number | 3R01AA031936-03S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11616487 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are adolescents and young adults (approximately ages 10–24, depending on local definitions) in rural Uganda who are willing to discuss peer norms, alcohol use, and HIV/STI prevention behaviors.
✕Less likely to help
Young people outside the target age range or those not exposed to peer-norm information may see limited or no benefit.
What this research studies
The study focuses on adolescents and young adults in a high HIV-burden setting to understand how misperceived peer norms about alcohol use and HIV prevention shape risk behaviors. It will test whether providing accurate information about actual peer behaviors can change personal drinking and HIV/STI prevention actions. The research uses data from the target population to identify modifiable norms and to inform future interventions that promote safer behaviors.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could lead to norm-based strategies that reduce HIV transmission risk among young people in similar settings.
How similar studies have gone: Prior studies in high-income countries show that correcting misperceptions can reduce risk behaviors, providing a basis for this culturally tailored approach in Uganda.
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.