Randomized controlled trial of a couples-based intervention to increase testing for HIV among heterosexual couples (CIC) 2012-14 in Vulindlela, South Africa

Description: This dataset contains the responses of couples who participated in the randomised controlled trial of a Couples-based intervention study. The questionnaire includes measurement of relationship domains such as satisfaction and communication, and measures pertaining to HIV and reproductive health (e.g., fertility intentions, HIV knowledge and risk perception, and sexual behaviour) and demographics. The data contains 438 variables and 350 cases.

Abstract: The prevalence for HIV in South Africa is 18% among 15-49 year old adults and 30% among female antenatal clinic attendees, indicating continuing need for effective HIV prevention. Further, recent studies in sub-Saharan Africa found 60-94% of new HIV infections are occurring within married or co- habiting heterosexual partnerships. In South Africa, rates of testing for HIV are low, and presence of outside partners is high. Couples-based voluntary counselling and testing (CVCT) is a proven strategy to reduce the risk of HIV transmission between partners due to both partners learning their own and their partner's HIV status. However, uptake of couples-based VCT has often been low. These findings signal the need for HIV prevention interventions that: 1) target couples; 2) increase uptake of couples-based VCT; and 3) examine the role of relationship factors on testing and sexual behaviours. To address this need, this study will test the efficacy of a behavioural intervention program to increase uptake for couples-based VCT and reduce sexual risk behaviour for HIV among couples living in Vulindlela, South Africa. We conducted a behavioural intervention using randomized controlled trial design with a 9-month post-intervention follow-up with 350 Heterosexual couples in Vulindlela. To test the efficacy of a theory-based and culturally appropriate couples-based intervention on the following outcomes: 1. rates of testing for HIV 2. Sexual risk behaviour for HIV (with primary and any concurrent partners). Secondary to that we wanted to evaluate the extent to which hypothesized mediating factors (e.g. Relationship dynamics) explain the major outcomes and the extent to which the intervention affects these factors. Important variables included in the dataset are Demographics, Relationship history, satisfaction and trust, power dynamics within the couple, sexual behaviour and HIV status.