SUMMARY

SiHLE was developed to address the STI/HIV/AIDS prevention needs of African-American adolescent girls. Research has shown that this subgroup of the general population is at higher risk than their White or Hispanic peers. SiHLE was originally implemented in the South, where adolescent HIV prevalence was higher than any other geographic region in the U.S.
Participants were girls seeking health services at community health agencies. Eliglible participants were African American between the ages of 14 and 18 who had engaged in vaginal intercourse within the previous six months. At baseline, 522 girls, aged 14-18, completed the baseline survey and were randomized into either the HIV-prevention intervention (n=251) or the general health control group (n=271).

The HIV-prevention intervention was grounded in social cognitive theory and the theory of gender and power. Participants explored issues related to ethnic and gender pride, risk reduction strategies (including correct and consistent condom use), negotiating safer sex, and healthy relationships as they relate to practicing safer sex.

At the six-month follow-up, intervention girls reported using condoms more consistently in the previous 30 days than did their control group counterparts (intervention, 75.3% vs. control, 58.2%). At the 12-month follow-up, intervention girls reported more consistent condom use both in the previous 30 days (intervention, 73.3% vs. control, 56.5%) and during the entire 12-month review period (adjusted odds ratio, 2.30; 95% CI, 1.51-3.5; P<.001). In general, at the 12-month point, intervention girls were more likely to have used a condom at last intercourse, and less likely to have had a new sexual partner in the last 30 days. They also had better condom application skills and a higher percentage of condom-protected sex acts than their control-group peers. Promising effects were also observed for chlamydia infections and self-reported pregnancy.

SUITABLE FOR USE IN

SiHLE is suitable for use in community based organizations and clinics that provide services to adolescent African American girls.

ORIGINAL INTERVENTION SAMPLE

Age, Gender
The baseline sample was 100% female, ranging in age from 14 to 18.

Race/Ethnicity
All participants were African American

PROGRAM LENGTH

SiHLE is delivered in four 4-hour sessions for a total of 16 contact hours.

STAFFING REQUIREMENTS/TRAINING

In the original implementation, a female African American health educator delivered the intervention, assisted by two African American peer educators. There was no formal training for either the health educator or the peer educators. However, their respective roles are clearly delineated in the booklets of the Facilitator's Manual. You may wish to develop a training program for future health educators in your milieu.

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