The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #73396

Kathy Sanders-Phillips, PhD¹, Olive Shisana, ScD², Frank Y. Wong, PhD³, and Leickness Simbayi, PhD³. (1) Howard University, Human Science Research Council, 6001 Executive Blvd, Suite 5167, Bethesda, MD 20892, 301-402-1984, AldenPk@aol.com, (2) Social Aspects of HIV/AIDS and Health, Human Science Resource Council, Private Bag X9182, Cape Town, 8000, South Africa, (3) The George Washington University, School of Public Health and Health Services, 2021 K Street, NW, Suite 800, Washington, DC 20006

The development of such programs has been hampered by a lack of information on the specific factors influencing AIDS prevention knowledge behavior and substance use in these groups. There has also been little collaboration between investigators who are studying AIDS risk in women of color and MSMs in the U.S. and South Africa researchers. This presentation will identify and discuss strategies for building successful partnerships between U.S. and South African researchers to conduct AIDS research. The challenges in identifying appropriate partners, establishing relationships, identifying research priorities, developing administrative procedures and conducting research protocols will be discussed. Particular emphasis will be placed on the importance of mutual respect between partners and full partnership between equal collaborators. For example, the mentoring opportunities and knowledge exchanges in these projects must be mutual, reciprocal, and bi-directional. Based on the experiences of two U.S. and two South African researchers who are currently conducting research in Southern Africa, several factors that contribute to successful international partnerships will be discussed. These include the sharing of all information; equal power and input from all parties; commitment to sustaining the objectives for all parties; interpersonal communications facilitated through fax, email and internet access; administrative support for sustainability; and dispersal of funds to Africanpartners.

Learning Objectives:

• High rates of HIV in women of color and among men who have sex with men (MSM)in Southern Africa underscore the need for effective AIDS prevention and risk reduction programs.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.