RTI researchers found that by addressing substance use and sexual risk behaviors, we can reduce the risk of experiencing violence, and further the risk for acquiring HIV among women in vulnerable settings. These findings are especially significant in South Africa, where substance use, violence, and HIV are highly prevalent, particularly among women of reproductive age.

The study, conducted in Pretoria, South Africa, combined a seek, test, treat, and retain approach with an adapted version of the Women’s Health CoOp (WHC). The WHC, which was developed by Dr. Wendee Wechsberg, is a woman-focused, enhanced HIV prevention strategy that has been adapted for use with various key populations around the world and was found to be a "best-evidence" HIV behavioral intervention by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This combination approach is designed to improve the quality of life and reduce HIV infectiousness among women who are HIV positive and reduce HIV risk behaviors among women regardless of their HIV status.

Going forward, RTI is implementing an evidence-informed women’s intervention with support from the U.S. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism and will assess its adoption, cost-effectiveness, and sustainability as an HIV prevention intervention for women.