The HIV Center's International Portfolio
The HIV Center has an extensive international portfolio, with multiple projects on four continents: North America, South America, Africa, and Asia. International projects are currrently being conducted in South Africa, Argentina, Brazil, China, and Vietnam. Prior projects have also been carried out in Mexico, Namibia, the Dominican Republic, and Nigeria. The HIV Center's global work is facilitated and supported by its Global Community Core.
The Fogarty International Center Fellowship at Columbia University provides advanced training in epidemiology, behavioral science, ethics, and basic science of HIV/TB for fellows from Southern Africa. HIV Center faculty have also been involved in many aspects of the global response to the AIDS epidemic, including advocacy and policy, responses. The MAC AIDS Fund Leadership Initiative is a one-year training program designed to help cultivate emerging leaders in South Africa who will make a major contribution to HIV/AIDS prevention advocacy at the local, regional, or national levels. The focus of the program is on reducing the spread of HIV and the impact of AIDS by addressing the role of gender inequality. The Social Science Training and Research (STAR) Partnership represents a collaboration between Columbia University social scientists with expertise in HIV and leading Vietnamese researchers. The STAR Partnership creates linkages between the Center for Gender, Sexuality and Health at the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, the HIV Center, and the Center for AIDS Research and Training at Hanoi Medical University (HMU). The HIV Center also plays an important role as a facilitator of high-level scientific exchange and collaboration among the countries of the Middle East and North Africa.
HIV Center International Research Locations
(Hover the mouse over black dots for country names.)
HIV Center International Research Portfolio
Project Title |
HIV Center Funder and Period |
Locations and key populations |
Brief Project Description |
A Multimedia Social Support Intervention: Adherence to HIV Care In South Africa (SMART+SA) |
PI: Robert Remien, Ph.D.,
NIMH R34; 2007-10 |
Western Cape, South Africa HIV-positive people accompanied by a supportive partner |
The goal of this study is to adapt and pilot test a counselor- and multimedia-driven social support intervention to promote optimal medical care adherence for adult patients accessing ART in SA community based clinics. 66 HIV-positive adult patients at three clinics are participating in a pilot randomized controlled trial of the intervention. They will be randomized either to the active intervention or to "standard of care." |
A Structural Intervention to Integrate Reproductive Health into HIV Care |
PI: Joanne Mantell, Ph.D. Co-PIs: Theresa Exner, Ph.D.; Susie Hoffman, Ph.D.
NIMH, R01; 2007-12 |
Cape Town, South Africa HIV-positive women and men accessing HIV care |
This is a multi-level structural intervention that simultaneously addresses stigma and poor access to contraceptive services and introduces best-practices counseling approaches that maximize sexual risk reduction based on clients' personal situations. This study will develop a standardized counseling algorithm and decision-making tool that tailors safer sex, contraception, and fertility messages to HIV-positive individuals' circumstances. It will also develop, implement, and evaluate the efficacy of a proof-of-concept, multi-level structural intervention that integrates reproductive health services into HIV care for HIV-positive women and men. |
Adapting CHAMP+ for South Africa: Supporting HIV-Infected Youth and Families |
PI: Claude Ann Mellins, Ph.D.
NINR R21-2007-2010 |
Durban, South Africa Perinatally HIV-infected 9-13 year old youth |
This study involves adapting, refining, and pilot testing an evidence-based HIV prevention program developed for inner-city pre and early adolescents and their families (the Collaborative HIV prevention and Adolescent Mental Health Program or CHAMP+) to the context of South Africa. It will examine 1) the process of cultural and contextual adaptation of CHAMP+SA and 2) the preliminary impact of CHAMP+ SA on short term proximal outcomes that promote youth behavioral health outcomes and psychosocial treatment for HIV+ youth.. |
PI: Milton Wainberg, M.D.
NIMH, R01; 2002 - 2011 |
Rio de Janeiro. Brazil Men and women with severe mental illness (SMI) at nine municipal community mental health clinics |
The goal of this study is to build on the successful findings of an NIMH funded pilot study that adapted, refined, and piloted an HIV prevention intervention for men and women with severe mental illness (SMI) in Brazil, based on HIV prevention interventions found to be efficacious for the SMI in the US. Using sites that are representative of outpatient treatment delivery settings across Brazil, the study is conducting an RCT to test the long-term efficacy of our Brazilian HIV Prevention Intervention for men and women with SMI. |
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Care and Treatment Uptake among the Newly Diagnosed in South Africa |
PI: Susie Hoffman, Dr. P.H.
NIMH R01, 2009-2013 |
Durban, South Africa Newly diagnosed HIV-positive men and women |
The goals of this study are to determine the most salient influences on enrollment and retention in HIV care that, if addressed, could optimize use of services among newly diagnosed men and women in resource-constrained settings; and to identify, collaboratively with key stakeholders, promising interventions for further development and testing. |
PI: Wafaa El-Sadr, M.D., M.P.H.
NIMH R01-2009-2013 |
Lesotho HIV discordant couples enrolled from antenatal clinics (ANCs) in
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This study aims to develop an “Enhanced Prevention Package” to reduce the risk of HIV acquisition in HIV negative partners. It includes the following interventions: 1) antiretroviral therapy |
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PI: Joanne Mantell, Ph.D. Co-PIs: Susie Hoffman, Dr.P.H.; Theresa Exner, Ph.D.
NICHD, R01; 2004 – 2010 |
Durban, South Africa Female university students and their partners |
This study is developing and testing a two-session, culture-specific, group-based female condom negotiation and insertion skills intervention on a South African university campus. The study tests the effectiveness of a cognitive-behavioral skills intervention against an information-only control condition on short- and long-term use of the female condom among 280 women. A qualitative phase will follow during which the university students and their mail partners will be interviewed |
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Health Care Provider’ and Clients’ Perspectives on Male Circumcision in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa |
PI Joanne E. Mantell, Ph.D.
Tibotec REACH, 2008-2009 |
Durban, South Africa Providers and patients in the public health sector |
The specific study aims are to 1. Explore public sector health care providers’/counseling staff’s knowledge and understanding of male circumcision (MC); 2. Determine how knowledge, understanding, and trust in the efficacy of MC, are associated with support for and intentions to become circumcised or have male children circumcised; and 3. Develop an evidence-based MC Counseling Tool that will assist health care providers. |
PI: Theo Sandfort, Ph.D.
NIMH R01, |
Townships in the Tshwane/Pretoria area, South Africa Self-identified men who have sex with men (MSM) |
The aims of the study are (1) to assess the prevalence of HIV among African MSM living in South African townships and identify which behavioral, psychosocial, and network characteristics distinguish infected MSM from non-infected MSM; (2) to identify the structural and psychosocial correlates of sexual risk behavior in these men, with a particular focus on the role of alcohol use; and (3) to describe the social organization of same-sex sexual practices of these men and identify structural and psychosocial factors that affect how these practices are experienced. |
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HIV Prevention Efficacy Beliefs about Male Circumcision in South Africa |
PI Joanne Mantell, Ph.D.
American Foundation for AIDS Research (amFAR),
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Durban, South Africa University students at the University of KwaZulu-Natal and health care providers in rural and urban community health centers. |
Male circumcision provides considerable but only partial protection against HIV infection for heterosexual men, and may not protect women. This study is one of the first to qualitatively investigate beliefs about trust/mistrust in the efficacy of male circumcision for HIV prevention, providing data to inform the potential roll-out of male circumcision as an HIV prevention strategy in South Africa. |
HIV-Prevention Intervention Targets in High-risk Alcohol Venues in Argentina |
PI: Ivan Balan, Ph.D.
NIAAA R21, 2008-2010 |
Buenos Aires, Argentina Patrons and staff of venues where alcohol is served and sexual behavior occurs |
This qualitative study consists of site observations of 6 venues, as well as in-depth interviews with patrons, owners/personnel, as well as HIV prevention and alcoholism specialists. Grounded theory will guide the qualitative data analysis, with the venue patron data undergoing a second level of analysis to develop cross-case causal models of HIV risk behavior in the context of alcohol use in these venues. |
Minority Stress, Social Support, and Sexual Risk in South African MSM |
PI: Theo Sandfort, Ph.D.
American Foundation for AIDS Research (amFAR), |
Greater Pretoria area, South Africa 18 to 40 year old MSM |
This project is conducting a cross-sectional study among a quota sample of18 to 40 year old MSM living, stratified for race, age, and socioeconomic background. The aim of the study is to explore how minority stress, mental health, and social support are related to safer sex practices. Outcomes of this study will inform prevention strategies and subsequent research in South Africa and elsewhere in Africa. |
Co-PI: Heino Meyer-Bahlburg, Dr. rer. nat.
NCRR U54, 2004-2009 |
Sites in the US, Brazil, and France
Individuals with the 46,XX karyotype with congenital adrenal hyperplasia in patient support groups of the Rare Disease Clinical Research Network |
The Rare Disease Clinical Research Network focuses on a diverse group of disorders characterized by defects in steroidogenesis. The Network studies the longitudinal history of these rare disorders and determine the outcome of treatment on height, fertility and gender. Through the Network, this study aims (1) to establish the clinical research network which pools data from the sites in cooperation with the DTCC and analyzes this data, (2) to educate young investigators in the management and clinical research of steroid disorders, and (3) to strengthen connections with patient support groups to enable individuals affected or at risk to have new kinds of input and access to optimal medical care. |
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PI: Alex Carballo-Diéguez, Ph.D.
NIMH, R01, 2005 - 2010 |
Buenos Aires, Argentina High-risk MSM living in Buenos Aires |
Targeting high-risk men living in Buenos Aires, the Primary Aims of our study are to (1) assess cognitive, emotional, socio-cultural, and contextual predictors of HIV-related risk behavior; (2) assess patterns of HIV testing in the high-risk male population and factors that facilitate or hinder testing; and (3) assess prevalence and incidence of HIV and STI infections. After a qualitative formative phase, 500 systematically recruited men from the Buenos Aires metropolitan area will undergo (a) a theoretically-based assessment of risk behavior and its psychosocial and contextual predictors as well as barriers and facilitators of HIV testing, and (b) HIV and STI testing. |
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PI: Richard Parker, Ph.D. Co-PI: Miguel Munoz-Laboy, DrPH
NICHD R01 2005 - 2010 |
Brazil Catholic, Protestant, and Afro-Brazilian religious organizations that are engaged with HIV/AIDS |
This study seeks to develop a comparative analysis of the nature and reasons for the responses of different religious traditions (at the policy, institutional and population levels) to HIV/AIDS in Brazil. It empirically documents the importance that each religious tradition has given to HIV/AIDS, and the reasons fro doing so and assesses the responses and their interactions with other institutions. |
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Training Service Providers in Dual Protection Counseling in China |
PI: Joanne Mantell, Ph.D.
World AIDS Foundation; 2003 - 2006 |
Nanjing, China Master Trainers from Nanjing College and Kunshan County staff. Health care providers in the Kunshan County Family Planning Service Center and in township and village-level FP service sites. |
The specific aims of this study are are to: adapt a dual protection (DP) training program for family planning providers and a client education and counseling intervention for use in Chinese family planning service settings; train 10 Master Trainers in DP programming through a Train the Trainers Program and assist them in further training 40-60 health care providers and evaluate the DP training and pilot test and evaluate the adapted intervention. |
In addition, several recently completed international studies include:
Anal Sex Practices among South African Women and Men
Joanne Mantell, Ph.D.
HIV Risk Among Migrant Entertainment Industry Workers in Eastern China
Joanne Mantell, Ph.D.
Love, Marriage, and HIV: Gender and HIV Risk
Jennifer Hirsch, Ph.D.
Training Service Providers in Dual Protection Counseling in China
Joanne Mantell, Ph.D.
