Adolescent and adult participation in an HIV vaccine trial preparedness cohort in South Africa.

Purpose: The importance of involving adolescents in HIV prevention trials has been recognized, but there have been few experiences reported from sub-Saharan Africa. We analyzed adult and adolescent data from a cohort study conducted to assess the feasibility of involving adolescents and adults in HIV vaccine-related studies.

Methods: Two hundred HIV-negative participants aged 16 to 40 years were enrolled, including 86 (43%) adolescents.

Common mental disorders among HIV-infected individuals in South Africa: prevalence, predictors, and validation of brief psychiatric rating scales.

Despite the high prevalence of both mental disorders and HIV infection in much of sub-Saharan Africa, little is known about the occurrence of mental health disorders among HIV-infected individuals. We conducted a cross-sectional study among individuals enrolled into HIV care and treatment services near Cape Town, South Africa. Psychiatric diagnoses were measured using the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) administered by trained research nurses.

Design and evaluation of a drama-based intervention to promote voluntary counseling and HIV testing in a South African community.

Background: Voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) services are a major component of HIV prevention and treatment efforts. We developed a drama-based intervention to promote VCT services in a peri-urban community in South Africa.

Methods: Young adults from the community received training in HIV/AIDS and drama, and developed sketches to address perceived barriers to VCT.

Social and behavioral aspects of child and adolescent participation in HIV vaccine trials.

Recent data indicate that the worldwide rate of HIV infection in adolescents is steadily increasing. Internationally, more than 7000 youths between 15 and 24 years of age are infected with HIV daily, resulting in more than 2.5 million new infections annually.

Socio-behaviour challenges to phase III HIV vaccine trials in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Background: A number of countries in sub-Saharan Africa are preparing for HIV vaccine efficacy trials. Social and behavioural factors related to HIV transmission require examination in each setting where these trials are considered. As part of this, several countries have also recently begun preparatory research investigating relevant social and behavioural issues.