HIV/AIDS Warriors Program

Investigators: Eric G. Bing, MD, Daniel J. Ortiz, PhD, Ricardo E. Ovalle-Bahamn, C. Phil., Karen G. Cheng, PhD, Francisco Ernesto, MD, & Cherrie B. Boyer, PhD

The HIV/AIDS Warriors Program aims to enhance HIV risk reduction knowledge, motivation, and behaviors among soldiers or other at-risk populations. The program is composed of five, 4-hour sessions delivered on consecutive days to groups of soldiers by civilian facilitators. Optional monthly booster sessions last 1-hour and reinforce the information provided by the initial program and give participants an opportunity to discuss their experiences related to the program. Program participants significantly increased their HIV/AIDS knowledge, perceived vulnerability to HIV, and condom use. Program participants also engaged in fewer unprotected sex acts with girlfriends, occasional partners, and sex workers; reduced the number of unprotected anal sex acts with live-in partners; and reduced the overall number of occasional partners and sex workers. The HIV/AIDS Warriors Program was originally designed for and implemented with soldiers in the Angolan Armed Forces. The HIV prevention messages presented in the curriculum are applicable to other non-military populations at risk of acquiring and transmitting STIs/HIV. Click here to view more detailed information on this program.

HORIZONS: STI/HIV Sexual Risk Reduction Intervention for African American Girls

Investigators: Ralph J. DiClemente, Gina M. Wingood, Eve S. Rose, Jessica M Sales, Delia L. Lang, Angela M. Calienda, James W. Hardin & Richard A. Crosby

HORIZONS, a two-session STI-prevention program developed for small groups of sexually-active African American adolescent girls, was developed to address a broad range of risk factors, including personal, relational, sociocultural, and structural factors. The overall goals of the program are to reduce recurrent STIs and enhance STI/HIV preventive behaviors. The workshops are interactive, involving the participants in games, role playing, poetry readings, condom skills practice, and self-reflection activities. HORIZONS was evaluated with a randomized control trial that included two conditions (control and intervention). Data was collected from the subjects at baseline, 6-months and 12-months post-completion of the program. When the program participants were compared to their control group peers, the program participants had, on average, a 35% lower risk of having Chlamydia than the control participants (RR, 0.65; 95% CI, 0.42 to 0.98; P=.04). Overall, participants in the program condition had higher self-reported condom use during sexual activity in the previous 14 days (P=.004) and 60 days (Phere to view more detailed information on this program.

Harvard School of Public Health/Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation Dietary Supplements Survey, 1999

Investigators: Robert J. Blendon, Catherine M. DesRoches, John M. Benson, Mollyann Brodie, & Drew E. Altman

The Harvard School of Public Health/Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation Dietary Supplements Survey, 1999 was a nationally representative, public opinion telephone survey of U.S. adults. The purpose of the study was to examine the characteristics of dietary supplement users, attitudes about dietary supplements, attitudes towards government regulation of supplements, and to examine differences in attitudes between users and nonusers of dietary supplements.

Health Behavior Study of Detroit Minority Youth, 1991

Investigators: Kathleen Ford and Anne Norris

Low income minority urban youth have been identified as a group for whom there is current concern about HIV transmission. The aim of this study was to evaluate AIDS knowledge, perception of risk, and risk behaviors related to sex in a sample of urban, low income, African American and Hispanic adolescents and young adults. The study was conducted between February and July of 1991. Data were obtained from a household probability sample of 1,435 individuals. Completed interviews included 726 African American (324 males, 402 females) and 709 Hispanic (359 males, 350 females) adolescents and young adults from low income areas of Detroit, Michigan. Interviewers were hired and trained specifically for the study. Over 95% of the 60 interviewers employed were minority residents of Detroit. Interviewer training consisted of instruction of general interviewing techniques, as well as instruction relevant to obtaining drug and sexual histories. The study questionnaire was developed through pilot testing using open-ended questions, consultation with youth and youth service providers, and formal pretesting. The final questionnaire consisted of close-ended questions and required about one hour to administer. About 108 of the interviews were conducted using a Spanish language questionnaire. The questionnaire assessed general knowledge of AIDS transmission; knowledge of routes of sexual transmission (both heterosexual and homosexual); respondents' sexual behavior, number of sexual partners, and condom use; and perceived susceptibility to AIDS infection.

Health Behavior Study of Detroit Minority Youth, 1991

Investigators: Kathleen Ford & Anne Norris

Low income minority urban youth have been identified as a group for whom there is current concern about HIV transmission. The aim of this study was to evaluate AIDS knowledge, perception of risk, and risk behaviors related to sex in a sample of urban, low income, African American and Hispanic adolescents and young adults. The study was conducted between February and July of 1991. Data were obtained from a household probability sample of 1,435 individuals. Completed interviews included 726 African American (324 males, 402 females) and 709 Hispanic (359 males, 350 females) adolescents and young adults from low income areas of Detroit, Michigan. The data set contains 1,106 variables. Interviewers were hired and trained specifically for the study. Over 95% of the 60 interviewers employed were minority residents of Detroit. Interviewer training consisted of instruction of general interviewing techniques, as well as instruction relevant to obtaining drug and sexual histories. The study questionnaire was developed through pilot testing using open-ended questions, consultation with youth and youth service providers, and formal pre-testing. The final questionnaire consisted of close-ended questions and required about one hour to administer. About 108 of the interviews were conducted using a Spanish language questionnaire. The questionnaire assessed general knowledge of AIDS transmission; knowledge of routes of sexual transmission (both heterosexual and homosexual); respondents' sexual behavior, number of sexual partners, and condom use; and perceived susceptibility to AIDS infection.

Helping Your Anxious Child: Bibliotherapy for Children with Anxiety Disorders Using Written Materials for Parents

Investigators: Ronald M. Rapee, PhD, Heidi J. Lyneham, PhD, Maree J. Abbott, PhD

Helping Your Anxious Child (HYAC) is a bibliotherapy outreach program based on a group cognitive-behavioral treatment program, the Cool Kids Child and Adolescent Anxiety Management Program. HYAC uses a parent-as-therapist model to assist children between 6 and 12 years of age in learning to manage their anxiety; including phobias, generalized anxiety, separation anxiety, social anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and panic attacks. HYAC materials (book for parent and workbook for child) contain a structured course of readings and activities to help parents better understand child anxiety and teach their child to manage his or her anxiety. Children’s activities and practice tasks cover skills such as cognitive restructuring, gradual exposure, problem solving, social skills, assertiveness, and dealing with teasing. The program also covers more effective parenting strategies. Over 10-12 sessions, the parent and child work on the program in tandem over a 3 to 4 month period (some families require more time to master the skills). It is recommended that therapists monitor and assist with implementation of the program via telephone, email, or personal consultation. Click here to view more detailed information on this program.

High School and Beyond Longitudinal Study, 1980 to 1986

Investigators: National Center for Education Statistics

HS&B is a longitudinal study of the critical transition years as high school students leave the secondary school system to begin postsecondary education, work, and family formation. Its purpose is to provide information on the characteristics, achievement, and plans of high school students, their progress through high school, and the transition they make from high school to adult roles. Researchers can examine such policy issues as school effects, bilingual education, dropouts, vocational education, academic growth, access to postsecondary education, student financial aid, and life goals. Information was also compiled regarding school characteristics, high school course offerings and course enrollments. For a subset of schools, questionnaires were administered to principals, vocational counselors, guidance counselors, and teachers. Additional data were gathered from parents, siblings, and administrative records (high school transcripts). In addition, postsecondary information regarding transcripts and financial aid were collected for both the sophomore and senior cohort. Therefore, a wide variety of data are available for analysis.

Hispanic Established Populations for the Epidemiologic Studies of the Elderly (Hispanic EPESE), Waves I-IV, 1993-2001

Investigators: Kyriakos S. Markides & Laura A. Ray

The Hispanic EPESE is a longitudinal study aimed at obtaining a representative sample of community-dwelling Mexican American elderly residing in the five Southwestern states of Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado, and California. The primary purpose of the study was to provide estimates of the prevalence of key physical health conditions, mental health conditions, and functional impairments in older Mexican Americans and compare this prevalence with that in other populations. Trained interviewers collected data on major chronic conditions, functional disabilities, mental health, family relations, migration history, access to health services, and related variables through personal household interviews with the subjects. The baseline interviews were conducted in 1993 and 1994; follow-up interviews of the same subjects were conducted at two (1995-1996), five (1998-1999), seven (2000-2001) and ten (2004-2005) years. In addition, the investigators wanted to study predictors and correlates of these health outcomes cross-sectionally. A two- year follow-up was requested in order to examine predictors of mortality, changes in health outcomes, institutionalization and other changes in living arrangements, and changes in life situations and quality of life.

Hispanic Established Populations for the Epidemiologic Studies of the Elderly, Waves I-IV, 1993-2001

Investigators: Preventive Medicine and Community Health

The Hispanic Established Populations for the Epidemiologic Studies of the Elderly (Hispanic EPESE) project collected data on a representative sample of community-dwelling Mexican-Americans, aged 65 years and older, residing in the five southwestern states of Arizona, California, Colorado, New Mexico, and Texas. The primary purpose of the study was to provide estimates of the prevalence of key physical health conditions, mental health conditions, and functional impairments in older Mexican Americans and compare them to those in other populations. In addition, the investigators wanted to study predictors and correlates of the health outcomes cross-sectionally. Baseline interviews were conducted in 1993 and 1994 with 3,050 subjects. Follow-up interviews of the same subjects were conducted at two (1995-1996), five (1998-1999), seven (2000-2001) and ten (2004-2005) years. Prior to the start of the ten-year follow-up, another 1,000 subjects aged 75 or older were added to the sample. Data were collected on major chronic conditions, functional disabilities, mental health, family relations, migration history, access to health services, and related variables through personal household interviews with the subjects.

HoMBReS: Hombres Manteniendo Bienestar y Relaciones Saludables (Men Maintaining Wellbeing and Healthy Relationships)

Investigators: Scott D. Rhodes, PhD, MPH, CHES, Kenneth C. Hergenrather, PhD, MSEd, MRC, Fred R. Bloom, PhD, Jami S. Leichliter, PhD, Jaime Montano

HoMBReS is a lay health advisor (LHA), community-based, behavioral intervention that aims to increase condom use and HIV testing among Latino men by working with sports teams. Each team selects a leader to serve as an LHA, known as a Navegante (Navigator or Health Navigator), who receives a 4-session, 16-hour training from the HoMBReS facilitator in order to become a health advisor, opinion leader, and community advocate. He may then provide his teammates with information and referrals to increase their knowledge about HIV and STI transmission, prevention, and testing, and increase their condom use skills. In addition, the Navegantes advocate positive and reframe negative sociocultural expectations about what it means to be a man, and they work toward structural changes in their communities. Click here to view more detailed information on this program.