Portland Women's Health Program


 Brian W. Weir, MPH, Rosemary Breger, MPH, Kerth O'Brien, PhD, Carol J. Casciato, Ronda S. Bard, PhD, John A. Dougherty, PhD, Michael J. Stark, PhD

FOCUS

SUMMARY

Portland Women's Health Program, a one-to-one, behavioral intervention, aims to reduce HIV risk behaviors and increase life stability among women who were recently incarcerated. A community health specialist extensively trained in motivational interviewing (MI) techniques meets individually with women during 10 sessions delivered over three months. All 10 sessions address HIV-prevention in addition to life stability issues.

SUITABLE FOR USE IN

This program is suitable for use in community-based settings with a private room for the health educator to deliver MI sessions.

ORIGINAL INTERVENTION SAMPLE

Age Range
18 - 62 years

Gender
0% Male; 100% Female; 0% Transgender

Race/Ethnicity
18% African American; 54% Caucasian; 6% Hispanic; 22% Other/Mixed

PROGRAM LENGTH

The program consists of 10 sessions delivered over three months. The sessions range in length from 30 to 60 minutes. During sessions 1 - 4, two sessions may be scheduled each week. For sessions 5 - 6, one session may be scheduled each week. For sessions 7 - 10, sessions may be scheduled for every other week.

STAFFING REQUIREMENTS/TRAINING

Facilitators do not need to be accredited counselors. They need to compete approximately 40 hours of initial MI training with a MINT (Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers) trainer. They must demonstrate MI skills by having practice sessions coded for proficiency using the MITI or MISC coding systems. After the initial training, the facilitator should meet with the MINT trainer once a month to debrief difficult sessions, review case consultations, and complete skill development activities. In addition, the MINT trainer should review coded sessions with the facilitator to identify potential areas for improvement.

   Injection drug users and their non-injecting partners
   STD Clinic Clients
   Women
   Minority Specific
   Other:
Recently incarcerated women

ORIGINAL SITE
   Community-based

APPROACH
   Behavioral Skills Development
   Community Outreach
   Condom Education/Access
   HIV/STD Education
   Needle Cleaning/Exchange
   Self Efficacy/Self-Esteem
   Other:
Motivational Interviewing

COMPONENTS
   Behavioral Skills Practice
   Group Discussion
   HIV Antibody Testing/Counseling
   Lectures
   Peer Counseling/Instruction
   Role Pay
   Safer Sex Communication/Negotiation
   Other:
Motivational Interviewing-based HIV risk reduction; Timeline Follow-Back calendar method to identify recent episodes of substance abuse and sexual activity; discussion of self-perceived HIV risk; assessment of readiness to address risk; and stage-based discussion addressing ambivalence about behavior change, action plans, or maintenance of behavior change
   

HAPPA PROGRAM PACKAGE

The HAPPA Program Package for this program includes:
  • Portland Women's Health Program User's Guide
  • HIV-Prevention Manual
  • Motivational Life Stability Manual
  • Envelope containing photocopy masters for HIV-Prevention
  • Envelope containing photocopy masters for Life Stability
  • CD containing worksheets for HIV-Prevention and Life Stability sessions
  • Adaptation Workbook
  • Original Evaluation Materials booklet
  • Coder's Manual
  • HAPPA Evaluation Assistance Kit (includes the Evaluation Questionnaire)
  • Telephone technical support on implementation and evaluation for 1 year