The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #46412

Carianne M. Tucker, CHES, MPH¹, Kathryn Whetten-Goldstein, PhD, MPH², and Shyanika Wijesinha Rose, MA¹. (1) Survey Operations, Battelle Centers for Public Health Research and Evaluation, 100 Capitola Drive, Suite 301, Durham, NC 27713, 919-544-3717, tuckerc@battelle.org, (2) Center for Health Policy, Law and Management, Duke University, Box 90253, 125 Old Chemistry Building, Durham, NC 27708

To promote understanding of research ethics and proper conduct during recruitment and interviews, social justice must be incorporated into training programs for data collectors. In survey research, training programs strongly emphasizing respect for human dignity and equality are uncommon. A survey involving HIV/AIDS patients requires a higher level of consideration of social justice issues because these research participants may already face stigmatization in their communities. In response to the need for more sensitizing training activities, the authors designed a curriculum incorporating social justice concepts.

The purpose of this presentation is to highlight the major components of a training curriculum for data collectors conducting an in-person interview component of an HIV/AIDS survey. The training was designed to increase interviewer knowledge, awareness, and attitudes toward social justice issues that may affect the recruitment and data collection phases of the survey. Through a series of participatory activities, trainers fostered critical thought and discussion about race, gender, sexual identity and rural Southern values in relation to equitable treatment of HIV positive participants in the survey. Evaluations were designed to assess participant preconceptions, post-training knowledge, attitudes, and sensitivity to social justice issues surrounding HIV/AIDS survey research.

This presentation will consist of an overview of the training activities that focused on social justice issues related to HIV/AIDS, and the quantitative and qualitative findings from the evaluation of the training. Presenters will also make recommendations for future use of training curricula that incorporate social justice concepts.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this session, the participant in this session will be able to

• Discuss 3 reasons for including social justice concepts in training for data collectors.
• Describe 2 training activities for data collectors that promote consideration of social justice in HIV/AIDS survey research.
• Evaluate the efficacy of the activities in promoting consideration of relevant social justice concepts for data collectors working with HIV/AIDS patients.

Keywords: HIV/AIDS, Social Justice

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Battelle Centers for Public Health Research and Evaluation
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: Employment