Development and initial validation of a simple tool to screen for partner support or opposition to HIV prevention product use

In HIV prevention trials, male partners have influenced women’s ability to adhere to investigational products, including antiretroviral (ARV) containing vaginal rings. Validated scales can be useful tools to systematically measure complex constructs, such as those related to male partner engagement. Although multiple scales exist to assess physical, psychological and sexual violence within intimate relationships, fewer scales focus on supportive behaviors within these relationships. Our intervention involved development of a Healthy Relationship Assessment Tool (HEART) that assessed both positive and negative aspects of male partner involvement in women’s HIV prevention. We identified and refined 127 potential items, representing intimate partner violence, agency and social support. A structured survey, including potential items and other sociodemographic and behavioral variables was administered to former microbicide trial and non-trial participants. We conducted an exploratory factor analysis (EFA) to identify a reduced set of constructs and items to screen women who might experience social harms or benefits from vaginal ring use. We examined associations between constructs and with other survey variables to assess content and construct validity. In a subset of 10 women who participated in the survey and qualitative interviews, we used qualitative data to predict survey scores. We retained five constructs with theoretical relevance and good-to-strong reliability for the tool, including: Traditional Values; Partner Support; Partner Abuse & Control; Partner Resistance to HIV Prevention; and HIV Prevention Readiness. Predicted associations between HEART constructs, and correspondence between participants’ qualitative data and HEART scores were generally correct, while those between constructs and other sociodemographic variables were more mixed. Initial validation of the HEART tool was promising. The tool will be used during the CHARISMA pilot study at the Johannesburg MTN 025/HOPE site and validated as part of a randomized controlled trial of CHARISMA within a PrEP demonstration project. Beyond clinical trial settings, HEART could assist PrEP or antiretroviral treatment (ART) providers with an easy-to-administer tool to identify risk and tailor risk reduction, empowerment and adherence counseling for microbicides, PrEP or ART related services.