The Future is Ours (FIO)

Investigators: Anke A. Ehrhardt, Heidi Arner, Pam Farquhar, Laura Frye, Jeff Natt, Inez Sieben, Imelda Walavalkar, Susie Hoffman, Jessica Adams-Skinner, & Teresa Exner

The Future Is Ours (FIO) is an eight-session HIV prevention intervention delivered to high-risk heterosexual women in a group setting. FIO is guided by three major theories, Modified AIDS Risk Reduction Model (MARRM), Social Learning Theory, and Gender Theory. The goal of FIO is to empower women to reduce unsafe sexual encounters by increasing the use of male and female condoms and alternate protection strategies including sex without penetration, getting tested for HIV jointly with a partner along with mutual monogamy and a safety agreement, deciding to be celibate, and refusing unsafe sex or deciding to not get involved with a partner who will not use condoms. FIO is a gender-specific HIV/STD risk reduction intervention designed for heterosexually active, at-risk women of diverse ethnicities (African-American/Black, Caribbean, Latina, White), ages 18 to 30, who are not injection drug users, are HIV-negative or of unknown status, are not pregnant or trying to become pregnant, and who live in communities where rates of HIV and other STDs are high.

National Sexual Health Survey (NSHS), 1996

Investigators: Center for AIDS Prevention Studies (CAPS); University of California, San Francisco

The National Sexual Health survey (NSHS) obtained a probability sample of all U.S. adults 18 years and older residing in the 48 contiguous states. Among identified eligibles, 77% were interviewed and the overall cooperation rate was 65%. All respondents were interviewed by telephone from June 28,1995 to April 30, 1996 in Spanish or English using procedures to ensure anonymity and privacy and to verify study authenticity. Measures were developed to assess a wide range of HIV-related and human sexuality topics, including, but not limited to: condom attitudes, condom slips and breaks, HIV-related care-giving, HIV-testing and home testing use, STD histories, perceived risk for HIV and other STDs and optimistic bias assessments, extramarital sex, sexual development, sexual abuse and rape, sexual dysfunctions, various psychological scales (sensation-seeking, machismo), family assessments and history, health and demographics, an a detailed assessment was conducted of sexual activities with each of the respondent's sexual partners, and, in addition, demographic, geographic, and HIV/STD risk characteristics of their sexual partners were determined.

Project SAFE (P-SAFE)

Investigators: Tamara Kuhn, Charles Klein, Alejandra Moreno, and Carmela Lomonaco

Project SAFE is a computer-delivered HIV/STI prevention program specifically designed for Latinas available in both English and Spanish. P-SAFE includes videos of individual women speaking candidly about HIV/STI-related topics in their lives and communities, skills instruction by the health educator, groups of women practicing condom skills, and role-play and novela vignettes demonstrating intervention themes.

Protect and Respect

Investigators: Michelle Teti, Linda Lloyd, Susan Rubinstein, Lisa Bowleg, Mary Ann Nkansa, Russell Cole, Zekarias Berhane, Erika Aaron, Ann Ricksecker, Marla Gold, Susan Spencer, Rhonda Ferguson, Dianne Rorie

PROTECT AND RESPECT, a clinic-based, behavioral intervention, aims to reduce the sexual transmission of HIV by decreasing high-risk behaviors among women living with HIV/AIDS. The intervention delivers HIV prevention messages in the following three ways: (1) a primary care provider counsels participants during health care visits; (2) an Intervention Specialist leads five group skills building sessions that teach skills to reduce sexual risk behaviors; and (3) Peer Educators conduct weekly discussion groups, which support participants. attempts to implement behaviors learned in the group skills building sessions. The program provider delivers a one-time, brief prevention message lasting 3 . 5 minutes, while the group skills building sessions consist of five 2-hour weekly educational sessions delivered over a 5-week period. The peer-led support groups meet weekly for 1-hour, beginning after the group skills building sessions have concluded, and may extend for as long as the program is in effect. During support group sessions, women are provided with an opportunity to discuss specific topics such as HIV risk reduction strategies, how to disclose, handling stress, or communicating with partners. Click here to view more detailed information on this program.

Real Men Are Safe (REMAS)

Investigators: Donald A. Calsyn, PhD, Mary Hatch-Maillette, PhD, Susan Tross, PhD, Suzanne R. Doyle, PhD, Yong S. Song, PhD, Judy M. Harrer, PhD, Genise Lalos, MA, Sara B. Berns, PhD

REMAS is a group-level, clinic-based behavioral intervention designed to reduce HIV/STI risk among male substance abuse treatment center attendees. More specifically, the program aims to reduce the number of times that men engage in unprotected vaginal and anal sexual intercourse, or have sex while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Two trained male health counselors teach participants information, help participants develop risk-reduction skills, and motivate behavior change through group discussion, role-play, and condom use skill training. REMAS is comprised of five 90-minute sessions where participants learn about HIV risky-behaviors, HIV prevention planning, and methods for communicating about safer sex and discussing sex without drugs. Click here to view more detailed information on this program.

Turning Point

Investigators: Russel S. Falck, Robert G. Carlson, & Harvey A. Siegal

Turning Point includes two separate interventions designed to reduce the frequency and probability of injection-risk behavior among IDUs not participating in drug abuse treatment programs. The basic intervention consists of two sessions. In the first session, participants undergo HIV antibody tests and receive pre-test counseling. In the second session, a counselor-educator provides detailed information about HIV and HIV transmission and guides the participant group through activities intended to teach behavioral strategies for avoiding exposure to HIV. Participants in the enhanced intervention complete the basic intervention and attend three additional sessions, in which they address HIV/AIDS pathology, drug addiction, and safer sex practices. Both interventions employ videotape presentations, role-play, hands-on demonstrations, and print materials. The enhanced intervention also employs slide presentations, self-assessment tests, and lecture/discussion. The program's effectiveness was evaluated in Dayton and Columbus, OH. Participants were randomly assigned to one of the two interventions. Surveys were administered to both groups at enrollment and six months after the intervention. A majority of participants in both the standard and enhanced interventions reported safer needle practices at follow-up. Although no difference in needle risk was observed between intervention groups when all subjects were included in analyses, participants in the enhanced intervention who reported unsafe needle practices at enrollment were significantly more likely to report safer needle practices at follow-up than similar participants in the standard intervention (Siegal, Falck, Carlson and Wang, 1995). Click here to view more detailed information on this program.

mDOT Program: For Individuals Receiving Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART)

Investigators: Cynthia R. Pearson, PhD, Mark Micek, MD, Jane M. Simoni, PhD, Eduardo Matediana, MD, Diane P. Martin, PhD, & Stephen Gloyd, MD, MPH

The mDOT Program aims to increase adherence to highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) for individuals living with HIV/AIDS through peer-provided directly observed therapy. The program significantly increased adherence to HAART at 6-week, 6-month, and 1-year follow ups and significantly increased the number of program participants achieving more than 90% adherence after 6 months. Peer educators are trained during a 2-day workshop to deliver directly observed therapy and support HAART adherence. After training, peer educators monitor morning HAART doses during the 6-week program period. Peer educators provide social support, adherence advice and health information to participants throughout the program. Peer educators complete refresher training every three months throughout the program. The mDOT Program was originally implemented in Beira, Mozambique, at a large-volume public institution providing free specialized HIV care and antiretroviral medications. Although this program was designed to operate in an HIV clinic or hospital, it may be feasible for other community-based organizations serving individuals living with HIV to implement the mDOT program. Click here to view more detailed information on this program.

A Peer Education Program for Taxicab/Tricycle Drivers and Other Bridge Populations

Investigators: Donald E. Morisky, ScD, ScM, MSPH, Chrystene Nguyen, MPH, Alfonso Ang, PhD, & Teodora V. Tiglao, EdD, MPH

The Peer Education Program aims to decrease sexual risk behaviors (such as unprotected sex) among members of a .bridge. population who are at risk of spreading STIs including HIV between high-risk groups (e.g., commercial sex workers) and the general population (e.g., other sexual partners). The Peer Education Program demonstrated increases in knowledge of HIV/AIDS transmission, positive attitudes toward condom use, and condom use frequency. The program includes a one-day needs assessment, a half-day peer educator information session and recruitment seminar, and a two-day peer educator training. For a year or more, peer educators share HIV prevention knowledge, distribute and promote condoms, and share educator-created prevention materials with coworkers and clients during normal work routines. Peer educators meet with program staff once a week throughout the program implementation to address questions or to problem solve ways to most effectively share safer sex messages with others. The Peer Education Program was originally implemented in the Philippines among drivers in the transportation industry but can readily be adapted to .bridge. populations in other settings and industries. The program.s peer education approach may also be useful in supporting HIV prevention behaviors among peers in many different types of communities and populations. Click here to view more detailed information on this program.

Adolescent Sexual Health Resources

Investigators: Sociometrics Corporation

This product consists of 5 resources: (1) 188 Facts About Teen Sex, Contraception, Pregnancy, Parenting, and Sexually Transmitted Infections. This handbook offers an accessible, reliable source of science-based facts on teen sex, contraception, pregnancy, parenthood, and sexually transmitted infections. (2) The Complete HIV/AIDS Teaching Kit. In a concise and convenient format The Complete HIV/AIDS Teaching Kit provides a multidisciplinary approach to teaching the biomedical, social, psychological, and behavioral aspects of HIV transmission, prevention and treatment-offering readers a full understanding of the disease. (3) Adolescent Sexual Health Education: An Activity Sourcebook. This sourcebook contains more than sixty ready-to-use activities to help practitioners educate teens about pregnancy and STD/HIV/AIDS prevention. (4) Model Programs for Adolescent Sexual Health. This is a directory of the most promising and proven effective sexual education and prevention programs in the United States. (5) Assessing Your Community's Needs and Assets: A Collaborative Approach to Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention. This guide will assist you in planning your needs assessment and evaluating the potential intervention strategies for your adolescent pregnancy prevention program.

CyberSenga

Investigators: Michelle Ybarra, Tonya Prescott, Josephine Korchmaros, Julius Kiwanuka, Sheana Bull, David Bangsberg, Norma Ware, & Ruth Birungi

CyberSenga is part of an effort to increase technology-based HIV prevention research in resource-limited settings such as Uganda. The purpose of CyberSenga is to prevent more people from getting HIV and to help those who have HIV live healthy lives by taking advantage of Internet technology to give young people both honest and truthful information, and the tools they need to make good decisions. CyberSenga consists of five one-hour modules conducted through the online CyberSenga software, along with a four-month post-intervention booster session. At the beginning of the program, participants answer two questions to sort them into four groups: abstinent boys, abstinent girls, sexually active boys, and sexually active girls. Based on their responses, participants are directed to intervention content tailored for saliency based upon their biological sex and sexual experience, although all versions include the same concepts. Content discusses relevant topics to provide youth with the information and skills they need to make healthy decisions in the future. An evaluation of CyberSenga has demonstrated that receiving the five CyberSenga sessions improves youths’ HIV preventive information as well as motivation to use condoms, and the booster session delivered four months after the initial intervention enhances the learning effect. Click here to view more detailed information on this program.