The IMAGE Study is a research initiative that seeks to evaluate the potential role of a microfinance-based poverty alleviation and empowerment strategy in behaviour change and the prevention of HIV and gender based violence. The IMAGE intervention combines community level access to a poverty targeted micro-lending scheme (TCP) with a two phase Participatory Learning and Action Curriculum for loan recipients ("Sisters for Life"). The IMAGE Study is an integrated, prospective, randomized, matched community intervention trial that seeks to thoroughly examine the impact of this social intervention that addresses poverty and gender-based inequalities on social, behavioural and biological outcomes - including HIV incidence. The study is based in 8 villages in the Sekhukhuneland District of Limpopo Province.

To download the full article of IMAGE Study published in the Lancet 368 1973-1983 2006 click here