Abigail Harrison is Associate Professor in the Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences, Brown University School of Public Health. She conducts research on global HIV prevention, reproductive health and health disparities among adolescents and young women, with a primary focus on South Africa, other locations in sub-Saharan Africa including Nigeria, and the United States. At Brown, Harrison's research is conducted with the International Health Institute, and through collaborations with the Population Studies and Training Center, the Center for AIDS Research, the Africa Initiative (Watson Institute), the Global Health Initiative, and with global and local partners. She teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in global health, and directs the Global Health Concentration for the MPH program.
Harrison's current research addresses the intersections of violence and HIV in South African schools, the health and social needs of adolescents living with HIV, and the development of HIV prevention interventions for adolescent girls and young women using multidisciplinary implementation science approaches. She also studies women's reproductive decision-making in the context of contraceptive use and PrEP for HIV prevention. Harrison's research emphasizes qualitative methods and community-based participatory approaches, in addition to intervention development and evaluation. Harrison is co-investigator on multiple NIH-funded research awards, and has also received mentorship funding and awards focused on training the next generation of researchers in HIV social science and women's reproductive health (in South Africa, Nigeria and the United States). She received her PhD in Epidemiology and Population Health from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, University of London, and an MA/MPH in International Health and Social Change and Development from Johns Hopkins University.
| LoVette A, Sullivan A, Kuo C, Operario D, Harrison A, Mathews C. "Examining Associations Between Resilience and Sexual Health Among South African Girls and Young Women Living With and Without HIV." AIDS Education and Prevention, vol. 35, no. 1, 2023, pp. 1-13. |
| Hanass-Hancock J, Bhengu N, Exner T, Magusthwa S, Harrison A, Dolezal C, Miller L, Bauman L, Hoffman S. "Masibambane-Ladies Chat: Developing an Online Gender-Enhanced PrEP Information-Motivation Workshop for Young South African Women." AIDS Education and Prevention, vol. 35, no. 1, 2023, pp. 14-35. |
| DeAtley T, Harrison A, Cassidy R, Kuo C, Higgins ST, Tidey JW. "Subjective experiences, contexts, and risk perceptions of very low nicotine content cigarettes and electronic cigarettes among people with depression and anxiety disorders who smoke." Drug and Alcohol Dependence, vol. 244, 2023, pp. 109767. |
| Bergam S, Kuo C, Atujuna M, Pellowski JA, Mtukushe B, Ndevu-Qwabe N, Matiwane M, Rencken CA, Belsky M, Hoare J, Bekker LG, Harrison AD. "We Should Be Taught Self-Respect, Self-Confidence and Self-Love": Youth Perspectives of Adult Influences on Their Sexuality and Relationships Among South African Adolescents Living With HIV." Frontiers in reproductive health, vol. 4, 2022, pp. 913170. |
| Harrison A, Bhengu N, Miller L, Exner T, Tesfay N, Magutshwa S, Khumalo S, Bergam S, Hoffman S, Hanass-Hancock J. "You tell him that 'baby, I am protecting myself'": Women's agency and constraint around willingness to use pre-exposure prophylaxis in the Masibambane Study." Women's health (London, England), vol. 18, 2022, pp. 17455057221087117. |
| DeAtley, Teresa, Harrison, Abigail, Mtukushe, Bulelwa, Maughan-Brown, Brendan, Muloiwa, Rudzani, Hoare, Jackie, Galárraga, Omar, Kuo, Caroline. "Conditional Economic Incentives for HIV Treatment Adherence: Aligning Adolescent Developmental Hallmarks with Behavioral Economic Theory to Improve HIV Treatment Adherence." AIDS Patient Care and STDs, vol. 36, no. 7, 2022, pp. 272-277. |
| McTigue G, Swartz A, Brittain K, Rini Z, Colvin CJ, Harrison A, Myer L, Pellowski J. "Contraceptive trajectories postpartum: A longitudinal qualitative study of women living with HIV in Cape Town, South Africa." Social Science & Medicine, vol. 292, 2022, pp. 114555. |
| Hayer S, DiClemente K, Swartz A, Chihota Z, Colvin CJ, Short SE, Harrison A. "Embodiment, agency, unmet need: Young women's experiences in the use and non-use of contraception in Khayelitsha, South Africa." Global Public Health, vol. 17, no. 6, 2022, pp. 885-898. |
| DiClemente-Bosco K, Weber AZ, Harrison A, Tsawe N, Rini Z, Brittain K, Colvin CJ, Myer L, Pellowski JA. "Empowerment in pregnancy: ART adherence among women living with HIV in Cape Town, South Africa." Social Science & Medicine, vol. 296, 2022, pp. 114738. |
| Folayan MO, Sam-Agudu NA, Harrison A. "Exploring the why: risk factors for HIV and barriers to sexual and reproductive health service access among adolescents in Nigeria." BMC Health Services Research, vol. 22, no. 1, 2022, pp. 1198. |
| LoVette A, Harrison A, Mathews C, Jonas K, Operario D, Kuo C. "From resilient girls to (more) resilient women: A mixed-methods study examining narratives of resilience among South African young women." Vulnerable Children and Youth Studies, vol. 18, no. 2, 2022, pp. 218-230. |
| Bergam S, Harrison AD, Benghu N, Khumalo S, Tesfay N, Exner T, Miller L, Dolezal C, Hanass-Hancock J, Hoffman S. "Women's Perceptions of HIV- and Sexuality-Related Stigma in Relation to PrEP: Qualitative Findings from the Masibambane Study, Durban, South Africa." AIDS and Behavior, vol. 26, no. 9, 2022, pp. 2881-2890. |
| Tarantino N, Matthews C, Sun S, Orchowski L, Harrison A, Abrahams N, Berkowitz A, Akande M, Kuo C. "Unique and Shared Correlates of Sexual Violence Perpetration and Sexual Risk Behavior Among South African Adolescent Boys." AIDS Education and Prevention, vol. 33, no. 5, 2021, pp. 424-438. |
| Nardi WR, Harrison A, Saadeh FB, Webb J, Wentz AE, Loucks EB. "Mindfulness and cardiovascular health: Qualitative findings on mechanisms from the mindfulness-based blood pressure reduction (MB-BP) study." PLoS ONE, vol. 15, no. 9, 2020, pp. e0239533. |
| Pellowski JA, Price DM, Harrison AD, Tuthill EL, Myer L, Operario D, Lurie MN. "A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) Adherence Interventions for Women Living with HIV." AIDS and Behavior, vol. 23, no. 8, 2019, pp. 1998-2013. |
| Loucks, Eric B., Nardi, William R., Gutman, Roee, Kronish, Ian M., Saadeh, Frances B., Li, Yu, Wentz, Anna E., Webb, Julie, Vago, David R., Harrison, Abigail, Britton, Willoughby B. "Mindfulness-Based Blood Pressure Reduction (MB-BP): Stage 1 single-arm clinical trial." PLOS ONE, vol. 14, no. 11, 2019, pp. e0223095. |
| Kuo, C., Mathews, C., LoVette, A., Harrison, A. Orchowski, L., Pellowski, J., Atujuna, M., Stein, D., Brown, L. "Perpetration of Sexual Aggression among Adolescents in South Africa." Journal of Adolescence, vol. 72, 2019, pp. 32-36. |
| Maughan-Brown, Brendan, Smith, Philip, Kuo, Caroline, Harrison, Abigail, Lurie, Mark N., Bekker, Linda-Gail, Galárraga, Omar. "Readiness for Antiretroviral Therapy: Implications for Linking HIV-Infected Individuals to Care and Treatment." AIDS and Behavior, vol. 22, no. 3, 2018, pp. 691-700. |
| Maughan-Brown, Brendan, Kuo, Caroline, Galárraga, Omar, Smith, Philip, Lurie, Mark N., Bekker, Linda-Gail, Harrison, Abigail. "Stumbling Blocks at the Clinic: Experiences of Seeking HIV Treatment and Care in South Africa." AIDS and Behavior, vol. 22, no. 3, 2018, pp. 765-773. |
| Galárraga, Omar, Harries, Jane, Maughan-Brown, Brendan, Cooper, Diane, Short, Susan E, Lurie, Mark N, Harrison, Abigail. "The Empower Nudge lottery to increase dual protection use: a proof-of-concept randomised pilot trial in South Africa." Reproductive Health Matters, vol. 26, no. 52, 2018, pp. 1510701. |
| Khidir, Hazar, Psaros, Christina, Greener, Letitia, O’Neil, Kasey, Mathenjwa, Mxolisi, Mosery, F. N., Moore, Lizzie, Harrison, Abigail, Bangsberg, David R., Smit, Jennifer A., Safren, Steven A., Matthews, Lynn T. "Developing a Safer Conception Intervention for Men Living with HIV in South Africa." AIDS and Behavior, 2017. |
| Shangani, Sylvia, Escudero, Daniel, Kirwa, Kipruto, Harrison, Abigail, Marshall, Brandon, Operario, Don. "Effectiveness of peer-led interventions to increase HIV testing among men who have sex with men: a systematic review and meta-analysis." AIDS Care, 2017, pp. 1-11. |
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Jessica N Coleman, Karmel W Choi, Jennifer A Smit, Cecilia Milford, Nzwakie Mosery, Letitia Greener, Lynn T Matthews, Abigail Harrison, David R Bangsberg, Steven A Safren, Christina Psaros.
"EXPLORING PREGNANCY-RELATED INTENTIONS AND BEHAVIORS AMONG PREGNANT YOUNG WOMEN IN KWAZULU-NATAL, SOUTH AFRICA." Annals of Behavioral Medicine, vol. 51, 2017, pp. S2773-S2774.
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| Psaros, Christina, Milford, Cecilia, Smit, Jennifer A., Greener, Letitia, Mosery, Nzwakie, Matthews, Lynn T., Harrison, Abigail, Gordon, Janna R., Mimiaga, Matthew, Bangsberg, David R., Safren, Steven A. "HIV Prevention Among Young Women in South Africa: Understanding Multiple Layers of Risk." Archives of Sexual Behavior, 2017. |
| Bhatia DS, Harrison AD, Kubeka M, Milford C, Kaida A, Bajunirwe F, Wilson IB, Psaros C, Safren SA, Bangsberg DR, Smit JA, Matthews LT. "The Role of Relationship Dynamics and Gender Inequalities As Barriers to HIV-Serostatus Disclosure: Qualitative Study among Women and Men Living with HIV in Durban, South Africa." Frontiers in public health, vol. 5, 2017, pp. 188. |
| Sullivan ME, Harrison A, Harries J, Sicwebu N, Rosen RK, Galárraga O. "Women's reproductive decision making and abortion experiences in Cape Town, South Africa: A qualitative study." Health Care for Women International, 2017, pp. 00-00. |
| Folayan, Morenike Oluwatoyin, Harrison, Abigail, Brown, Brandon, Odetoyinbo, Morolake, Stockman, Jamila K., Ajuwon, Ademola J., Cáceres, Carlos F. "Associations between Forced Sexual Initiation, HIV Status, Sexual Risk Behavior, Life Stressors, and Coping Strategies among Adolescents in Nigeria." PLOS ONE, vol. 11, no. 5, 2016, pp. e0155210. |
| Harrison A, Hoffman S, Mantell JE, Smit JA, Leu CS, Exner TM, Stein ZA. "Gender-Focused HIV and Pregnancy Prevention for School-Going Adolescents: The <i>Mpondombili</i> Pilot Intervention in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa." Journal of HIV/AIDS & Social Services, vol. 15, no. 1, 2016, pp. 29-47. |
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Smit JA, Church K, Milford C, Harrison AD, Beksinska ME, Ringheim K et al.
"Population Health and Environment (PHE) Community-Based Distribution and Peer Education System: Train-the-trainer guide for training PHE community-based distributors and PHE adult peer educators working on integrated PHE activities." BMC Health Services Research, vol. 12, no. 2, 2016, pp. 48.
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| DeCelles J, Hershow RB, Kaufman ZA, Gannett KR, Kombandeya T, Chaibva C, Ross DA, Harrison A. "Process Evaluation of a Sport-Based Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision Demand-Creation Intervention in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe." JAIDS Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes, vol. 72 Suppl 4, no. Suppl 4, 2016, pp. S304-S308. |
| Folayan, Morenike O., Cáceres, Carlos F., Sam-Agudu, Nadia A., Odetoyinbo, Morolake, Stockman, Jamila K., Harrison, Abigail. "Psychological Stressors and Coping Strategies Used by Adolescents Living with and Not Living with Hiv Infection in Nigeria." AIDS and Behavior, vol. 21, no. 9, 2016, pp. 2736-2745. |
| Swartz, Alison, Colvin, Christopher, Harrison, Abigail. "The Cape Town boyfriend and the Joburg boyfriend: women’s sexual partnerships and social networks in Khayelitsha, Cape Town." Social Dynamics, vol. 42, no. 2, 2016, pp. 237-252. |
| Colvin, Christopher J, Harrison, Abigail. "Broadening the debate over HIV and hormonal contraception." The Lancet Infectious Diseases, vol. 15, no. 2, 2015, pp. 135-136. |
| Harrison A, Colvin CJ, Kuo C, Swartz A, Lurie M. "Sustained High HIV Incidence in Young Women in Southern Africa: Social, Behavioral, and Structural Factors and Emerging Intervention Approaches." Current HIV/AIDS Reports, vol. 12, no. 2, 2015, pp. 207-15. |
| Hershow, Rebecca Beth, Gannett, Katherine, Merrill, Jamison, Kaufman, Elise Braunschweig, Barkley, Chris, DeCelles, Jeff, Harrison, Abigail. "Using soccer to build confidence and increase HCT uptake among adolescent girls: a mixed-methods study of an HIV prevention programme in South Africa." Sport in Society, vol. 18, no. 8, 2015, pp. 1009-1022. |
| Folayan, Morenike O, Odetoyinbo, Morolake, Brown, Brandon, Harrison, Abigail. "Differences in sexual behaviour and sexual practices of adolescents in Nigeria based on sex and self-reported HIV status." Reproductive Health, vol. 11, no. 1, 2014, pp. 83. |
| Folayan M, Haire B, Brown B, Fatusi O, Harrison A, Odetoyinbo M. "Ethical Issues in Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health Research in Nigeria." Developing World Bioethics, 2014. |
| Folayan, Morenike Oluwatoyin, Haire, Bridget, Harrison, Abigail, Odetoyingbo, Morolake, Fatusi, Olawunmi, Brown, Brandon. "Ethical Issues in Adolescents' Sexual and Reproductive Health Research in Nigeria." Developing World Bioethics, vol. 15, no. 3, 2014, pp. 191-198. |
| Harrison A. "HIV Prevention and Research Considerations for Women in Sub-Saharan Africa: Moving toward Biobehavioral Prevention Strategies." African journal of reproductive health, 2014. |
| Mimiaga MJ, Closson EF, Safren SA, Mabude Z, Mosery N, Taylor SW, Perez-Brumer A, Matthews LT, Psaros C, Harrison A, Grelotti DJ, Bangsberg DR, Smit JA. "Inkwari: An Emerging High-Risk Place Potentiating HIV Spread Among Young Adults in a Hyper-Endemic South African Setting." Arch Sex Behav, 2014. |
| Matthews, Lynn T., Milford, Cecilia, Kaida, Angela, Ehrlich, Matthew J., Ng, Courtney, Greener, Ross, Mosery, F. N., Harrison, Abigail, Psaros, Christina, Safren, Steven A., Bajunirwe, Francis, Wilson, Ira B., Bangsberg, David R., Smit, Jennifer A. "Lost Opportunities to Reduce Periconception HIV Transmission." JAIDS Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes, vol. 67, 2014, pp. S210-7. |
| Folayan, Morenike O., Odetoyinbo, Morolake, Harrison, Abigail, Brown, Brandon. "Rape in Nigeria: a silent epidemic among adolescents with implications for HIV infection." Global Health Action, vol. 7, no. 0, 2014. |
| Brown B, Folayan MO, Odetoyingbo R, Harrison A. "Rape in Nigeria: a silent epidemic among adolescents with implications for HIV infection." Global Health Action, 2014. |
| Harrison A, Short S, Tuoane M. "Re-focusing the gender lens: Caregiving women, family roles and HIV/AIDS vulnerability in Lesotho." AIDS and Behavior, vol. 18, no. 3, 2014, pp. 595-604. |
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Scott-Sheldon L, Walstrom P, Kalichman S, Harrison A, Carey M.
"Current State of the Science: A Systematic Review of Behavioral HIV Interventions for South African Adolescents, 2007-2012." Current HIV Research, vol. 11, no. 7, 2013, pp. 549-558.
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Harrison A.
"Gender, Health Inequalities and the Social Context of HIV/AIDS among Youth in South Africa." Nigerian Journal of Health Sciences , vol. 13, no. 2, 2013, pp. 12-17.
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| Madhavan, Sangeetha, Harrison, Abigail, Sennott, Christie. "Management of non-marital fertility in two South African communities." Culture, Health & Sexuality, vol. 15, no. 5, 2013, pp. 614-628. |
| Scott-Sheldon, Lori, Walstrom, Paige, Harrison, Abigail, Kalichman, Seth, Carey, Michael. "Sexual Risk Reduction Interventions for HIV Prevention among South AfricanYouth: A Meta-Analytic Review." Current HIV Research, vol. 11, no. 7, 2013, pp. 549-58. |
| Smith KA, Harrison A. "Teachers' attitudes towards adolescent sexuality and life skills education in rural South Africa." Sexuality Education, vol. 13, no. 1, 2013, pp. 68-81. |
| Harrison A, Smit J, Hoffman S, Nzama T, Leu CS, Mantell J, Stein Z, Exner T. "Gender, peer and partner influences on adolescent HIV risk in rural South Africa." Sexual Health, vol. 9, no. 2, 2012, pp. 178-86. |
| Smit JA, Church K, Milford C, Harrison AD, Beksinska ME. "Key informant perspectives on policy- and service-level challenges and opportunities for delivering integrated sexual and reproductive health and HIV care in South Africa." BMC Health Services Research, vol. 12, 2012, pp. 48. |
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Gittelsohn, J; Bentley, ME; Nag, M; Peltto, P; Pachauri, S; Harrison, A; and Landman, L.
Listening To Women Talk About Their Health: Issues and Evidence from India, 2nd ed. . edited by Gittelsohn, J; Bentley, ME; Nag, M; Peltto, P; Pachauri, S; Harrison, A; and Landman, L, New Delhi: Har Anand Publications/The Ford Foundation, 2011.
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| Harrison A. "Hidden Love: Sexual Ideologies and Relationship Ideals among Rural South African Adolescents in the Context of HIV/AIDS." International Handbook of Sexuality, Health and Rights. , edited by Aggleton, P and Parker R., eds, London, Routledge Press, 2010. |
| Harrison A, Newell ML, Imrie J, Hoddinott G. "HIV prevention for South African youth: which interventions work? A systematic review of current evidence." BMC Public Health, vol. 10, 2010, pp. 102. |
| Harrison A, O'Sullivan LF. "In the absence of marriage: long-term concurrent partnerships, pregnancy, and HIV risk dynamics among South African young adults." AIDS and Behavior, vol. 14, no. 5, 2010, pp. 991-1000. |
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Harrison A.
"Young People and HIV/AIDS in South Africa: Prevalence of infection, risk factors, and social context." HIV/AIDS in South Africa. , 2nd edition, edited by Abdool Karim SS and Abdool Karim Q, eds., Johannesburg, Oxford University Press, 2010.
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Abdool Karim Q, Meyer-Weitz A, Harrison A.
"Interventions with Youth in High Prevalence Areas." HIV Prevention: A Comprehensive Approach. , edited by Mayer KH and Pizer HF, eds, New York, Academic Press, 2009.
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| Harrison A. "Hidden love: sexual ideologies and relationship ideals among rural South African adolescents in the context of HIV/AIDS." Culture, Health & Sexuality, vol. 10, no. 2, 2008, pp. 175-89. |
| Harrison A, Cleland J, Frohlich J. "Young people's sexual partnerships in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa: patterns, contextual influences, and HIV risk." Studies in Family Planning, vol. 39, no. 4, 2008, pp. 295-308. |
| O’Sullivan L, Cooper-Serber E, Kubeka M, Harrison A. "Body Concepts: Beliefs about the Body and Efforts to Prevent HIV and Pregnancy among a Sample of Young Adults in South Africa." International Journal of Sexual Health, vol. 19, no. 2, 2007, pp. 69-80. |
| Harrison A. "Review of African Households: Censuses and Surveys." 2007. |
| O'Sullivan LF, Harrison A, Morrell R, Monroe-Wise A, Kubeka M. "Gender dynamics in the primary sexual relationships of young rural South African women and men." Culture, Health & Sexuality, vol. 8, no. 2, 2006, pp. 99-113. |
| Harrison A, O'Sullivan LF, Hoffman S, Dolezal C, Morrell R. "Gender role and relationship norms among young adults in South Africa: measuring the context of masculinity and HIV risk." Journal of Urban Health, vol. 83, no. 4, 2006, pp. 709-22. |
| Hoffman S, O'Sullivan LF, Harrison A, Dolezal C, Monroe-Wise A. "HIV risk behaviors and the context of sexual coercion in young adults' sexual interactions: results from a diary study in rural South Africa." Sexually Transmitted Diseases, vol. 33, no. 1, 2006, pp. 52-8. |
| O'Sullivan LF, Hoffman S, Harrison A, Dolezal C. "Men, multiple sexual partners, and young adults' sexual relationships: understanding the role of gender in the study of risk." Journal of Urban Health, vol. 83, no. 4, 2006, pp. 695-708. |
| Mantell JE, Harrison A, Hoffman S, Smit JA, Stein ZA, Exner TM. "The Mpondombili Project: preventing HIV/AIDS and unintended pregnancy among rural South African school-going adolescents." Reproductive health matters, vol. 14, no. 28, 2006, pp. 113-22. |
| Harrison A, Hoffman S, O'Sullivan L, Mantell J, Exner T, Smit J. "Young men's HIV risks in South Africa: the importance of multiple risk behaviors." AIDS, vol. 20, no. 10, 2006, pp. 1467-8; author reply 1468-9. |
| Harrison A, Cleland J, Gouws E, Frohlich J. "Early sexual debut among young men in rural South Africa: heightened vulnerability to sexual risk?." Sexually Transmitted Infections, vol. 81, no. 3, 2005, pp. 259-61. |
| Harrison A, Smit J, Exner T, Hoffman S, Mantell J. "Mpondombili Project: Gender Inequalities and Young People’s Sexual Health in Rural South Africa." Sexual Health Exchange, vol. 3, no. 4, 2004, pp. 5-8. |
| Myer L, Harrison A. "Why do women seek antenatal care late? Perspectives from rural South Africa." Journal of Midwifery & Women's Health, vol. 48, no. 4, 2003, pp. 268-72. |
| Harrison A. "The social dynamics of adolescent risk for HIV: Using research findings to design a school-based intervention." Agenda, vol. 53, 2002, pp. 43-52. |
| Smit J, McFedyen L, Harrison A, Zuma K. "Where is the condom? Contraceptive practice in a rural district of South Africa." African journal of reproductive health, vol. 6, no. 2, 2002, pp. 71-8. |
| Harrison A, Montgomery E. "Life histories, reproductive histories: rural South African women’s narratives of fertility, reproductive health and illness." Journal of Southern African Studies, vol. 27, no. 2, 2001, pp. 311-28. |
| Wilkinson D, Karim SS, Lurie M, Harrison A. "Public-private health sector partnerships for STD control in South Africa--perspectives from the Hlabisa experience." South African medical journal = Suid-Afrikaanse tydskrif vir geneeskunde, vol. 91, no. 6, 2001, pp. 517-20. |
| Harrison A, Xaba N, Kunene P. "Understanding safe sex: gender narratives of HIV and pregnancy prevention by rural South African school-going youth." Reproductive health matters, vol. 9, no. 17, 2001, pp. 63-71. |
| Harrison A, Montgomery ET, Lurie M, Wilkinson D. "Barriers to implementing South Africa's Termination of Pregnancy Act in rural KwaZulu/Natal." Health Policy and Planning, vol. 15, no. 4, 2000, pp. 424-31. |
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Harrison A, Smit J, Myer L.
"Prevention of HIV/AIDS in South Africa: A review of behaviour change interventions, evidence and options for the future." South African Journal of Science, vol. 96, 2000, pp. 285-90.
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| Harrison A, Karim SA, Floyd K, Lombard C, Lurie M, Ntuli N, Wilkinson D. "Syndrome packets and health worker training improve sexually transmitted disease case management in rural South Africa: randomized controlled trial." AIDS, vol. 14, no. 17, 2000, pp. 2769-79. |
| Connolly AM, Wilkinson D, Harrison A, Lurie M, Karim SS. "Inadequate treatment for sexually transmitted diseases in the South African private health sector." International journal of STD & AIDS, vol. 10, no. 5, 1999, pp. 324-7. |
| Wilkinson D, Harrison A, Lurie M, Abdool Karim SS. "STD syndrome packets: improving syndromic management of sexually transmitted diseases in developing countries." Sexually Transmitted Diseases, vol. 26, no. 3, 1999, pp. 152-6. |
| Wilkinson D, Abdool Karim SS, Harrison A, Lurie M, Colvin M, Connolly C, Sturm AW. "Unrecognized sexually transmitted infections in rural South African women: a hidden epidemic." Bulletin of the World Health Organization, vol. 77, no. 1, 1999, pp. 22-8. |
| Harrison A, Wilkinson D, Lurie M, Connolly AM, Karim SA. "Improving quality of sexually transmitted disease case management in rural South Africa." AIDS, vol. 12, no. 17, 1998, pp. 2329-35. |
| Wilkinson D, Connolly AM, Harrison A, Lurie M, Karim SS. "Sexually transmitted disease syndromes in rural South Africa. Results from health facility surveillance." Sexually Transmitted Diseases, vol. 25, no. 1, 1998, pp. 20-3. |
| Harrison A, Lurie M, Wilkinson N. "Exploring partner communication and patterns of sexual networking: qualitative research to improve management of sexually transmitted diseases." Health transition review : the cultural, social, and behavioural determinants of health, vol. 7 Suppl 3, no. Suppl 3, 1997, pp. 103-7. |
| Wilkinson D, Ndovela N, Harrison A, Lurie M, Connolly C, Sturm AW. "Family planning services in developing countries: an opportunity to treat asymptomatic and unrecognised genital tract infections?." Genitourinary Medicine, vol. 73, no. 6, 1997, pp. 558-60. |
| Harrison A, Wilkinson D, Lurie M. "From partner notification to partner treatment." South African Medical Journal, vol. 87, no. 8(suppl), 1997, pp. 1055. |
| Lurie M, Wilkinson D, Harrison A, Abdool Karim S. "Migrancy and HIV/STDs in South Africa--a rural perspective." South African medical journal = Suid-Afrikaanse tydskrif vir geneeskunde, vol. 87, no. 7, 1997, pp. 908-09. |
| Folayan MO, Haire B, Brown B, Fatusi O, Harrison A, Odetoyinbo M. "Ethical Issues in Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health Research in Nigeria." Developing World Bioethics, vol. epub ahead of print. |
| Madhavan S, Harrison A, Sennott C. "Management of Premarital Fertility in Two South African Communities." Culture, Health and Sexuality, vol. 15, no. 5, pp. 614-28. |
| Harrison A, Short SE, Tuoane-Nkhasi M. "Re-focusing the gender lens: caregiving women, family roles and HIV/AIDS vulnerability in Lesotho." AIDS and Behavior, vol. 18, no. 3, pp. 595-604. |
Harrison’s research addresses global HIV prevention and reproductive health among adolescents and young women, with a primary focus on South Africa. Her interdisciplinary approach integrates methods from epidemiology and social demography, including ethnographic, qualitative and survey research, and community-based participatory research methods.
Harrison’s collaborative research program focuses on HIV social science and behavioral interventions in South Africa. Current research includes qualitative and mixed methods research on health behaviors, the social context of prevention, and behavioral interventions, with support from multiple NIH institutes and university sources.
CURRENT RESEARCH PROJECTS
Safe South Africa: Prevention of HIV and Violence Perpetration for Young Men in South African Schools
This research, funded by current grants from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), addresses the context of social norms related to violence and HIV risk behaviors among secondary-school going boys in metropolitan Cape Town, South Africa, in partnership with American University, Washington DC and the South African Medical Research Council. Funding is provided through an R34: Schools Championing Safe South Africa: An Intervention Engaging Teachers and Students in Adolescent Prevention of HIV risk and Intimate Partner Violence (with South African Medical Research Council), and an R01 to test intervention efficacy: Testing the Efficacy of Safe South Africa: An Intervention to Prevent HIV Risk and Interpersonal Violence Among Adolescent Boys.
Integrated Prevention of HIV Risk and Intimate Partner Violence among Adolescents in South Africa
This is a companion study to Safe South Africa, also funded through an R34 from the NIMH.
Masibambane ('Ladies Chat'): Developing a Gender-Focused PrEP Information-Motivation Workshop for Young South African Women
This intervention development study, funded by an R34 from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), focused on HIV prevention in the context of reproductive health and gender equity. The study, conducted in partnership with the Columbia University HIV Center for Clinical and Behavioral Studies and the South African Medical Research Council, is based in Durban, South Africa, an epicenter of the global HIV pandemic, where young women face disproportionately high levels of HIV. The research team developed an online workshop based on in-depth formative research with young women and men, and using a peer recruitment and peer support approach.
Health Needs of Adolescents Living with HIV in South Africa:
Two studies, funded by R21 pilot grants (NICHD and NIAID), to develop innovative interventions for the high priority population of first-generation adolescents and young adults living with HIV in South Africa, addressing barriers to treatment adherence and reproductive health needs, and including evaluation of peer support groups for HIV and chronic illnesses.
Women's Contraceptive Needs and Reproductive Decisionmaking:
Research focused on contraceptive use patterns, social context of behavior, and women's empowerment. A pilot study of women's unmet need for contraception was completed in 2021, with seed funding from Brown's Population Studies and Training Center.
TRAINING
BRIDGES: Building Research to Integrate and Deepen the Gains Against HIV Through the Social Sciences
D43 in partnership with the University of Cape Town, funded by the NIH Fogarty International Center, offering training in HIV social and behavioral science for young scholars from southern Africa.
MENTORED RESEARCH
CARTA SHINE Project (I serve as International Mentor for this postdoctoral award with Professor Boladale Mapayi, Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ife Nigeria), focused on sexual harassment on Nigerian university campuses (SHINE = Sexual Harassment in Nigerian Education)
Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies: Adaptation of Behavioral Intervention to Increase ART Adherence in the Postpartum Period (with Jennifer Pellowski, PhD; K01 NIMH)
Undetectable and Untransmittable: Reducing HIV Transmission among Young Women living with HIV, their Partners and Children in South Africa (with Elona Toska, PhD; K43 NIH Fogarty Center)
Resilience among Young South African Women: Findings from the HERStory Study (with Ashleigh LoVette, PhD; Caroline Kuo and Catherine Mathews, HERStory Lead Investigators)
Defining the System Surrounding Trauma, Depression and Anxiety among African Migrant Women Living in the United States: Applications of Systems Dynamics Modeling (with Kira DiClemente, MPH and Women’s Refugee Care)
Burn Injuries in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa: Patient Experiences and Predictors of Retention in Care. (with Cami Rencken, ScM)
National Survey of Adolescents Living with HIV in Nigeria
In collaboration with Institute of Public Health, OAU, Ile-Ife, analysis of reproductive health outcomes for adolescents living with HIV/AIDS
OTHER RESEARCH INTERESTS
Implementation Science and Intervention Development Research: using a transdisciplinary approach to address global health inequities, through in-depth formative research with communities and populations, and through intervention development and evaluation
Qualitative Process Evaluation: development of rigorous evaluation methods for intervention research.
Community-based Participatory Youth HIV Prevention
CURRENT
Safe South Africa: Prevention of HIV and Violence Perpetration for Young Men in South African Schools
(in partnership with American University and the South African Medical Research Council)
R01, 2023 - 2028: Efficacy Trial of Safe South Africa
R34, 2020 - 2023: Development of the Safe South Africa Intervention and Pilot RCT
Masibambane ('Ladies Chat'): Developing a Gender-Focused PrEP Information-Motivation Workshop for Young South African Women
NIMH, R34, Developing a Gender-Enhanced PrEP Information-Motivation Workshop for Young South African Women (PI: Hoffman Columbia University; Harrison, Brown Subcontract PI; in partnership with the South African Medical Research Council); 2018 - 2022
Fogarty International Center, D43, BRIDGES: Building Research to Integrate and Deepen the Gains Against HIV Through the Social Sciences; University of Cape Town; 2019-2024
Integrated Prevention of HIV Risk and Intimate Partner Violence among Adolescents in South Africa (PI: Kuo & Mathews; Harrison Co-Investigator), NIMH, R34
Health Needs of First Generation HIV-Infected Adolescents (PIs: Harrison and Kuo), NICHD, R21.
COMPLETED
NICHD, R24, Partnership for the Next Generation of HIV Social Science in South Africa (PIs: Lurie and Colvin; Harrison Co-Investigator)
NIAID, R21, Conditional Economic Incentives for Improving Adolescent Adherence to HIV Treatment (PIs: Galarraga and Hoare, Harrison Co-Investigator)
Brown University, Office of the Vice President for Research (OVPR) Seed Fund, Empower-Nudge: Increasing Dual Protection among Young Women in Cape Town, South Africa, 2014 (PIs: Galarraga and Harrison)
NIMH, R34 Matthews L (PI) et al. (Harrison, Consultant) 09/01/13 - 06/30/18, Men's Perspectives on Safer Conception in Durban, South Africa.
R03 NICHD Matthews, PI. 07/01/12 - 06/30/14
Co-Is: Bangsberg, David; Psaros, Christina; Safren, Steven; Wilson, Ira; Smit, Jenni; Harrison, Abigail (Consultant). Harvard/MGH, Brown and MatCH, South Africa. Healthcare workers' attitudes towards and knowledge and practices of reproductive counseling for HIV-positive individuals in KwaZulu Natal, South Africa.
R03 NIMH PI: Psaros. 04/01/2011-03/31/2013.
Co-Is: Matthews, L; Bangsberg, D; Safren, S; Smit, J; Harrison, A (Consultant). Harvard/MGH, Brown and Wits University, MatCH, South Africa. Fifteen years of epidemic HIV: Novel risk behavior in South African teens in 2010.
K23 NIMH 095655 PI: Matthews. 7/01/11 - 8/31/16
Periconception HIV risk reduction for HIV-discordant couples in Uganda. Role: Mentor
Structurally Linking HIV and Family Planning Services: A Service Integration Model. Funder: Hewlett Foundation
Jennifer Smit (PI), A Harrison (co-I); MatCH (Maternal, Adolescent and Child Health) Research Unit, Durban South Africa. 1/1/2008 - 1/31/2012
NICHD R03, Gender, Family Organization and Child Well-being in Lesotho. Susan Short (PI), Abigail Harrison Co-I. 1/1/2007 - 6/30/2010
Marriage Patterns, Union Stability, and HIV in Sub-Saharan Africa. Abigail Harrison and Sangeetha Madhavan, PIs. Population Association of America Seed Fund, April 2011 - August 2012. Result: Mini-conference for 40 participants, San Francisco, May 1-2, 2012.
| Year | Degree | Institution |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | PhD | University of London |
| 1993 | MPH | The Johns Hopkins University |
| 1991 | MA | The Johns Hopkins University |
| 1986 | BA | University of Pennsylvania |
(with Omar Galarraga, PhD Department of Health Services, Policy and Practice, Brown School of Public Health)
| Name | Title |
|---|---|
| Galarraga, Omar | Professor of Health Services, Policy and Practice, Director of Epidemiology |
| Guthrie, Kate | Professor of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Professor of Behavioral and Social Sciences |
| Lurie, Mark | Professor of Epidemiology |
| McGarvey, Stephen | Professor of Epidemiology |
| Nazareno, Jennifer | Associate Director of the Online MPH Program, Associate Professor of Behavioral and Social Sciences |
| Pellowski, Jennifer | Associate Professor of Behavioral and Social Sciences |
| Rosen, Rochelle | Associate Professor of Behavioral and Social Sciences |
| Short, Susan | Robert E. Turner Distinguished Professor of Population Studies |
| Smith, Daniel | Charles C. Tillinghast, Jr. Professor of International Studies |
| Sun, Shufang | Assistant Professor of Behavioral and Social Sciences, Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Associate Director of the Mindfulness Center |
American Public Health Association
Global Health Council
Population Association of America
| ANTH 1313 - Are We Really All in This Together? Culture, Structure, and Health Disparities |
| PHP 0320 - Introduction to Public Health |
| PHP 1070 - Global Burden of Disease |
| PHP 2060 - Qualitative Methods in Health Research |
| PHP 2740 - Learning Global Health by Doing Global Health: Global Health Thesis Seminar |
| PHP 2760 - Critical Perspectives in Global Health |
