SUMMARY

Developed for use in the waiting room of an inner-city public health clinic, this single-session program consists of a group discussion on condom use, a videotape portraying condom use as socially acceptable, a role playing session practicing negotiating condom use with sexual partners, and a question-and-answer period. A health educator leads discussions of STD prevention methods, condom use, and why people like/dislike condoms. The video, "Let's Do Something Different", uses culturally appropriate language to deliver the message that condoms are socially acceptable and that sex can be exciting and pleasurable when condoms are used. Following the video, participants engage in a role play in which they negotiate using condoms in a variety of settings. The health educator then answers questions as time allows. A field test of the program demonstrated that, seven to nine months after the intervention, male participants were nearly two thirds less likely to have received a new STD diagnosis than men in a control group.

SUITABLE FOR USE IN

This program is suitable for use in public health and STD clinics that provide education or services to high-risk populations.

ORIGINAL INTERVENTION SAMPLE

Age, Gender
mid-20's to mid-30's, 64% male

Race/Ethnicity
76% African-American, 15% Hispanic, 9% Other Race/Ethnicity

PROGRAM LENGTH

The intervention session requires 45-60 minutes, depending on the amount of group participation. The sessions's three distinct segments range in time needed, with the first (including the 20-minute video) being the longest.

STAFFING REQUIREMENTS/TRAINING

A health educator leads the intervention. No program-specific training is required. The Facilitator's Manual provides detailed guidance to help implement the curriculum.