The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #44184

Michael D. Shankle, MPH¹, John F. Faber, MSEd, LSW², and Matthew B. Moyer, MPH¹. (1) Department of Infectious Diseases and Microbiology; Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Prevention Project, 3520 Fifth Avenue, Suite 400, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, 412.383.2612, shankle@stophiv.pitt.edu, (2) Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, 3520 Fifth Avenue, Suite 400, Pittsburgh, PA 15213

Nationally, HIV infection continues to occur at high rates among young adults with over half of all new infections in the United States occurring in people under the age of 25. Increased apathy by young adults regarding sexually transmitted infections and HIV infection with a lack of primary and secondary HIV prevention that target sexually active gay, bisexual, African American and Latino/a youth may be contributing to this problem.

With the involvement, recommendation, and participation of young adults, the statewide HIV prevention community planning group, state department of health, and university collaborators provided community-based agencies funding and technical assistance in replicating a youth theater HIV prevention intervention. This project, based on the NiteStar Theater Company model, articulates HIV prevention risk reduction information through theatrical presentations by peers and a series of follow-up, facilitated discussions to target high-risk youth in a variety of venues.

Participants will be provided with an overview of this youth theater HIV prevention intervention followed by an in-depth look at the successes, challenges, barriers, and lessons learned from implementing this model on the local level. At the conclusion of this presentation, participants will be able to: 1) describe this HIV prevention intervention model; 2) understand the benefits and challenges of implementing this model; 3) identify the need to collaborate with key community and state partners; and 4) understand the importance of peer participation in the development and implementation of this type of intervention.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this presentation, participants will be able to

• describe this HIV prevention intervention model;
• understand the benefits and challenges of implementing this model;
• identify the need to collaborate with key community and state partners; and
• understand the importance of peer participation in the development and implementation of this type of intervention.

Keywords: Youth, HIV/AIDS

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
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.