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Oral Presentation
Sunday, July 22, 1:30-3:30

El-Bassel, N. HIV Couple-based Behavioral Interventions: A Gender-based Approach.

Poster Presentations

Monday, July 23, 12:30-2:30

El-Bassel, N., Gilbert, L., Wu, E., Goddard-Eckrich, D., Chang, M., Witte, S., Epperson, M. Prevalence and correlates of HIV and STIs among drug-involved female offenders under community supervision in New York City.

Tuesday, July 24, 12:30-2:30

Wu, E., Hess, L., El-Bassel, N., Gilbert, L.,
Witte, S. Research on couple-based risk reduction interventions for men who have sex with men (MSM): Lessons learned about methodological and practical challenges.

Muchomba, F., Gearing, R., El-Bassel, N. Adherence to topical microbicides and oral pre-exposure prophylactic HIV preventative treatments: what are the barriers and how are they addressed?

Primbetova, S., El-Bassel, N., Gilbert, L., Terlikbayeva, A., Hunt, T., Malin A. Use of DatStat software for data collection, monitoring and evaluation of naloxone peer distribution programs to respond to opiate overdoses among people living with HIV (PLWH) and injection drug users (IDUs) in Central Asia.

Wednesday, July 25, 12:30-2:30

Witte, S., El-Bassel, N., Wu, E., Gilbert, L., Hunt, T., Chang, M., Remien, R., Moretti, F., Rowe, J., Kelsey, R. Identifying best practices in implementation: Findings from a randomized clinical trial comparing web-based versus traditional, paper-based approaches to the implementation of a couple-focused HIV prevention program.

Terlikbayeva, A., El-Bassel, N., Gilbert, L., Rozental, Y., Yegeubayeva, S., Ismailova, L., Famouri, L. Seek, test and treat continuum among a cohort of injecting drug users (IDUs) and their sexual partners in HIV prevention project in Kazakhstan.

Thursday, July 26, 12:30-2:30

Muchomba, F., El-Bassel, N., Gilbert, L., Ismayilova, L., Terlikbayeva, A., Mergenova, G., Shaw, S., Merali, N. HIV risk among male migrant workers in central Asia: do masculinity beliefs about sexuality and marriage matter?

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Findings from a Multimedia Couple-Based HIV/STI Prevention Program to be Presented at the 2012 International AIDS Conference in Washington, D.C.

July 2012—Developed and tested by SIG researchers, Connect is the first relationship-based HIV/STI prevention intervention with demonstrated effectiveness in reducing sexual risk behaviors when provided to individuals or to couples together (among a sample of HIV-negative, positive and serodiscordant couples). Connect is the only relationship-based DEBI (Diffusion of Effective Behavioral Interventions), and the only DEBI developed and implemented for couples.

Funded by the Center for Disease Control, from 2007-2012, a team of SIG investigators led by Dr. Susan Witte packaged the Connect intervention for dissemination through the DEBI program and further translated the program into a web-based version. Click on the "Introducing Connect” video below for an overview of the project.  

The team then tested whether training and implementation on the web-based version would yield higher adoption rates among community-based agencies in New York State, compared to agencies receiving the training and implementation on the DEBI described above. 

Those findings will be reported at the International AIDS Conference in D.C. For more detailed information and/or a complete list of resources included in the Connect package, click to read the full article.

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SIG Demonstrates First Promising Couple-Based HIV Study for At-Risk Black Men in Same-Sex Relationships

December 2011—Findings from a recent study suggest a promising couple-based intervention to reduce behavioral risk of HIV transmissions among Black men who have sex with men (MSM). This research addresses the segment of the population that accounts for the majority of HIV infections in the United States. In New York City alone, HIV prevalence for Black MSM exceeds many countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. This innovative research is especially valuable given that twice as many of those transmissions come from primary partners as opposed to casual partners. Recruitment for the program was done over a five-month period at local bars, clubs, and community events, such as artist readings and film screenings frequented by MSM in New York City. After an assessment process, thirty-four couples were enrolled in the pilot for seven weekly sessions. Read more >

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New Couple-Based Intervention for Drug Users in New York City Considerably Reduces Behaviors Linked to HIV/STIs

November 2011—Over the years, research has established a strong association between drug use and risky sexual practices among heterosexuals in committed relationships. These behaviors as well as injecting drug use increase the rates of HIV/STI transmission. In a study aimed at reducing these risks, the research team developed and tested a relationship-based prevention intervention for drug-involved heterosexual couples, who were HIV-negative. They also tested whether the intervention is more effective when both members of the couple receive it together than separately. Couples were recruited through community organizations, street outreach, and the media to take part in the study. Read more >

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SIG Awarded Grant to Test Innovative Couple-Based Programs to Prevent HIV and Other Health Concerns Among Black Men Who Have Sex With Men

October 2011—Dr. Elwin Wu, Director of the Social Intervention Group (SIG), and Associate Professor at the Columbia University School of Social Work (CUSSW), has received a five-year, $3.1M grant from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). The grant will be used to test the efficacy of couple-based interventions in preventing the transmission of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among Black men in longer-term, same-sex relationships. Drs. Nabila El-Bassel and Louisa Gilbert are co-investigators on the study, which will be conducted at the CUSSW Social Intervention Group. For more information, you may refer to the press release.

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Multisite Health Promotion Intervention Significantly Impacts Behaviors Linked to Chronic Diseases Among African Americans

May 2011—Medical advances such as Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART) have shifted the progression of HIV from terminal to chronic. Concomitantly as patients live longer, they experience increasing mortality from chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and certain cancers. Concern for this growing epidemic prompted the research team at SIG to focus on a health promotion intervention in the first multisite study with African American heterosexual couples where one person was HIV-positive. Participants were recruited in Atlanta, Los Angeles, New York City, and Philadelphia from HIV care clinics, AIDS service organizations, targeted street outreach, and through the media. Read more >

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Drs. Nabila El-Bassel and Elwin Wu Identified as Top Scholars of HIV/AIDS in U.S. Schools of Social Work

September 2010—"HIV/AIDS Scholarship: An Analysis of Groundbreaking Programs and Individuals" by Anthony P. Natale and Donald Baker was published in the August 2010 issue of Social Work in Health Care.

The study identified top scholars of HIV/AIDS in schools of social work in the United States.

SIG's Director, Dr. Nabila El-Bassel, was identified as "the most prolific scholar of this group, with 47 publications."

SIG's Associate Director, Dr. Elwin Wu, was identified as the 10th most productive scholar. Read more >

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