Correct and consistent condom use is an effective way to prevent unintended pregnancy, HIV and other STDs. Condom use occurs within the context of a relationship, yet rarely do intervention programs encourage participation of both members of a couple. Although a number of HIV interventions have demonstrated success in increasing condom use in relationships with non-primary partners, there has been less success in changing behaviors in main partner relationships.
This presentation details the experiences of the Partners Against Risk-Taking: A Networking, Evaluation and Research Study (PARTNERS) project in recruiting young (ages 18-25), heterosexual, ethnically diverse couples who engage in high risk sexual behaviors to participate in a couples-based HIV prevention program. Formative interviews with 90 couples (43% African American, 43% Latino, and 13% other) showed that recruiting through the female partners was more effective than recruiting through the male, and that both active (i.e. approaching women in clinics) and passive (i.e. posters and flyers) recruitment approaches were useful in identifying and recruiting young women and their male partners. Based on these data, specific protocols were developed to contact eligible young women at clinics and educational programs. This presentation will discuss the steps used for screening and recruitment of couples. Ten months of recruitment and retention data will be presented. Types of venues and strategies that are effective in reaching couples at risk will be discussed. Data will also compare eligible couples who participate with those who do not. Implications for designing, implementing and evaluating couples-based intervention strategies will be discussed.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant in this session will be able to: 1. Identify effective active and passive recruitment strategies for couples. 2. Identify appropriate eligibility criteria used to screen high-risk couples. 3. Apply the findings to the design of a couples-based intervention
Keywords: HIV Interventions, Minority Health
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.