204687 Implementing HIV prevention, awareness, and testing in the ballroom community

Monday, November 9, 2009

Brett J. Palmer, MEd, CSE , Adolescent Medicine Division, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
Marné Castillo, MEd, PhD , Adolescent Medicine Division, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
Jonathan Ellen, MD , Division of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
Nancy Willard, MS , Center for Child and Community Research, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
HIV prevention and testing in high risk communities is a significant challenge in the fight against HIV/AIDS. The ballroom community is identified as one of the many high risk contexts found in major cities across the United States. Implementing HIV prevention, awareness, and testing within this community requires specific knowledge about the ballroom scene, communication with members of the ballroom community, and collaboration with other service agencies.

This presentation will describe a single-case study of how a targeted intervention integrated with the efforts of a broader community coalition.

The Mpowerment Project, as a part of Connect to Protect® Philadelphia of the Adolescent Trials Network, was adapted to address HIV prevention among young males who have sex with males (YMSM, ages 13 to 24), through the ballroom community.

Lessons learned, successes and challenges will be presented, including methods for delivery of safer sex messages and outreach efforts.

Learning Objectives:
1.Describe the social structure and makeup of the Ballroom Community. 2.Identify three reasons the Ballroom Community is at high risk of HIV/AIDS infection. 3.List three ways community organizations can provide HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention within the Ballroom Community.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have a Master of Education in human sexuality from Widener University and I am the Coordinator of the Mpowerment Project at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Adolescent Trials Unit. I provide sexual health education in a variety of settings, including outreach and education in the community, classroom teaching, and workshops for adolescent young males who have sex with males and for providers. I have also designed workshops, as well as other curricula on a variety of topics related to sexual education and health, and contribute and present at local conferences and play a role in the sexual health research conducted at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

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