 | The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
|
| The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
Crystal L. Meyer, MPH, University of Michigan School of Public Health, 109 S. Observatory, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, (734) 699-8040, meyercl@umich.edu
Among young people within the US, ages 13 to 24, African Americans continue to make up a higher proportion of HIV and AIDS cases. To address this problem among African-American youth in Flint, Michigan, the University of Michigan School of Public Health (UM-SPH) and Flint Odyssey House, Health Awareness Center (FOH-HAC) partnered to develop a culturally and age-appropriate HIV/AIDS prevention program, Breaking the Silence. This program was geared specifically towards youth ages 11 to 18 within the Flint community. The objectives were: (1) to assess the need for early prevention activities among African American youth in Flint and (2) to promote positive health behaviors and reduce risky behaviors in youth associated with HIV/AIDS within the African American community. Breaking the Silence consisted of focus groups, peer-led health education and confidential questionnaires; facilitated by a graduate student from UM-SPH and a team of high-school students from the Flint community. Participants were recruited from local churches and community-based organizations affiliated with FOH-HAC. The evaluation of this program involved questionnaires about knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors related to HIV/AIDS and risky behaviors among youth, as well as qualitative data from focus groups. Data collected from this program will be used to assist in statewide HIV/AIDS planning.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: African American, 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.