Framework Program in Global Health: Grant Recipients

Caitlin Kennedy
YRGCARE Dating Service for HIV-Infected Individuals in Chennai, India
Fall 2006

JHU advisor: David Celentano
Country: India
Program: Bloomberg School of Public Health, PhD program
 
Project Abstract:
Dating services that introduce HIV-infected single people to each other may be a creative way to work within cultural norms to both improve the quality of life of HIV-infected individuals as well as prevent the continued spread of the epidemic.

This research project will use qualitative methods to evaluate the first dating service of this type in India, located at the YRGCARE clinic in Chennai. Semi-structured, in-depth interviews will be conducted with a minimum of ten HIV-infected clients who have used the YRGCARE dating service, ten HIV-infected clients who are single but have not used the service, and all of the clinic staff who have worked with the service. 

This research will explore the experiences of HIV-infected clients in order to obtain an in-depth understanding of how being HIV-positive affects dating and relationships in the Indian context, the needs of HIV-infected single individuals, and how the dating service fits in the context of these needs. In addition, we seek to understand how the dating service operates, what successes and challenges it has faced, and how it can be improved to best address the needs of its clients.

Photos © Caitlin Kennedy

>> See all Fall 2006 Framework Award winners