Human Sciences Research Council
Durban, Tuesday, 20 June 2023 –The Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) invites members of the media to attend the release of the Igugu Lethu study results to be delivered in three sessions at the 11th South African Aids Conference at the Durban International Convention Centre from 20 to 23 June 2023.
The Igugu Lethu study is a couples-focused intervention aimed at promoting couples’ HIV testing and counselling. The goal of the study was to improve the couples-focused intervention previously used by the Uthando Lwethu study.
In the new study, couples were offered screening and support for other health conditions, including diabetes. The results show that the changes made to the couples’ intervention were successful in supporting more couples to decide to test for HIV together. Igugu Lethu is a joint study between the HSRC and the University of Southampton in the United Kingdom.
The results will be presented in the following oral and poster presentations:
- Presenter: Prof Nuala McGrath.
- Presentation topic: Process evaluation results from an optimised couple-based behavioural intervention to increase couples testing for HIV (Igugu Lethu) study in KwaZulu-Natal South Africa; Session title: Approaches to Prevention: HTS; Date: Wednesday, 21 June 2023; Session Time: 14:00–15:30; Presentation time: 14:45–15:00 (10 min presentation and 5 min Q&A); Venue: Hall 3; Presenter: Lindani Msimango.
- Presentation topic: Results of an evaluation of an optimised couples-focused behavioural intervention (the Igugu Lethu study) to promote couples’ HIV testing in rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa; Session title: Approaches to Prevention; Date: Thursday, 22 June 2023; Session time: 11:30–13:00; Presentation time: 12:30–12:45 (10 min presentation and 5 min Q&A); Venue: Hall 3; Presenter: Prof Nuala McGrath.
- Associations between couples’ relationship quality and uptake and timing of couples’ health screening including HIV testing: findings from an evaluation study of an optimised couples-focused behavioural intervention (the Igugu Lethu study) in rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
The study is part of the CHERISH programme and was funded by a National Institute of Health and Social Care Research England Research Professorship awarded to Professor Nuala McGrath, University of Southampton. The study was conducted in accordance with international guidelines for Good Clinical Practice in Clinical Trials and with the approval of the HSRC Research Ethics Committee, South Africa (2/19/10/11c), the Faculty of Medicine Research Ethics Committee, University of Southampton, UK (53709), and the Health Research Committee of the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Department of Health (KZ_202009_041).
Ends.
For media enquiries:
| Malwande Ntlangula Cell: +27 69 404 2935 Email: mntlangula@hsrc.ac.za |
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Notes to the Editor
About the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC)
The HSRC was established in 1968 as South Africa’s statutory research agency and has grown to become the largest dedicated research institute in the social sciences and humanities on the African continent, doing cutting-edge public research in areas that are crucial to development.
Our mandate is to inform the effective formulation and monitoring of government policy; to evaluate policy implementation; to stimulate public debate through the effective dissemination of research-based data and fact-based research results; to foster research collaboration; and to help build research capacity and infrastructure for the human sciences.
The Council conducts large-scale, policy-relevant, social-scientific research for public sector users, non-governmental organisations and international development agencies. Research activities and structures are closely aligned with South Africa’s national development priorities.
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