The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #47121

Erin C. Wilson and George Weiss. Division of Adolescent Medicine Research and Evaluation Group, Childrens Hospital Los Angeles, 5000 Sunset Boulevard, suite 540, Los Angeles, CA 54700, 323-660-2450, ewilson@chla.usc.edu

Integrating youth into the development of HIV prevention and intervention programs is a successful strategy for reducing high-risk behaviors, increasing youth participation in public health measures, and fostering positive changes in youths’self-perception. This presentation first describes a youth-integrated approach used to develop and implement a comprehensive eight-course HIV training program in West Hollywood, California. Youth developers combined a clear understanding of issues their community faces with minimal input from staff to create an effective communication strategy for HIV prevention messages. The use of this method resulted in training and education workshops that were relevant and meaningful to youth participants. The high level of youth ownership also resulted in increased retention of youth volunteers. Challenges that arose included: overcoming public speaking fears, creating a safe and positive work environment, and understanding of the organizational structure of the project. However, challenges to the training development process were small in light of the dedication of the staff and the youth to upholding the voice of the youth in communicating important messages that affected other youth. This presentation will end by identifying lessons learned in the process of enabling youth to create and develop safer sex trainings under the auspices of a youth empowerment model.

Learning Objectives:

2. Describe 3 ways youth are a resource in developing HIV prevention initiatives in the youth community.
4. Identify strategies to facilitate youth/adult collaborations in implementing HIV prevention trainings.
6. Develop techniques that increase youths’ opportunities to contribute their knowledge and communication skills to the development process of an HIV prevention training.

Keywords: Adolescent Health, Community Health

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.