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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
Sara-Ann Steber, MSS, MLSP, Center for Mental Health Policy & Services Research, University of Pennsylvania, 3535 Market St. Room 3011, Philadelphia, PA 19104, (215) 662-2886, ssteber@cmhpsr.upenn.edu and Mirla Otero, BS, Community Prevention Partnership of Berks County, 227 North Fifth St., Reading, PA 19601.
In the United States, women of color represent approximately 80% of reported cases of AIDS in the female population and this percentage is increasing at an alarming rate. In response to this urgent public health concern, the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention funded local communities to implement and evaluate the effectiveness of programs targeted to women of color that focus on HIV/AIDS and drug and alcohol prevention. This presentation describes the results of the comparison group study of a single site. Women in the study reside in one of two public housing developments and are predominantly Hispanic (92%). The intervention consists of a 3-month educational program combined with social activities and childcare. When the program is complete, monthly follow-up sessions are held to reinforce the prevention message. Data are collected at baseline, at completion of the program and at 6-months follow up. Preliminary findings suggest that participants in the intervention group are more likely to report improved outcomes in HIV and substance abuse prevention behaviors, attitudes and knowledge. This analysis will examine individual, family, and community level factors influencing HIV and substance abuse prevention among this population. Comparisons will be made across age, ethnicity to examine whether certain demographic characteristics represent either risk or protective factors related to HIV prevention. Policy and program implications and additional research needs will be discussed.
Learning Objectives: At the end of this session, participants should be able to
Keywords: HIV Interventions, Women
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.