The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #68657

Lynae A. Darbes, PhD¹, Gail E. Kennedy, MPH¹, Judith Fitzpatrick, PhD², and George W. Rutherford, MD¹. (1) University of California, San Francisco, 74 New Montgomery Street, Suite 508, San Francisco, CA 94105, 415-597-8143, ldarbes@psg.ucsf.edu, (2) Office of the President, University of California, Universitywide AIDS Research Program, 300 Lakeside Dr., 6th Floor, Oakland, CA 94612

Methods. Systematic reviews of HIV prevention interventions in communities of color were conducted. The three reviews were organized by ethnicity of participants (e.g., African-American, Latino, Asian-American) and further delineated by risk behavior (e.g., men who have sex with men, injection drug users, heterosexuals, and adolescents). We evaluated the interventions on methodological quality (e.g., study design, randomization) and study outcomes with the strongest methodological interventions received more weight in our conclusions.

Results. Our systematic reviews determined that many interventions had positive and significant impacts on risk behaviors associated with transmission of HIV infection. In general, the most successful interventions provided the participants with skills training, were sensitive to issues of culture, and/or gender, and were conducted over multiple sessions and/or longer periods of time. Subsequently, each of the narrative reviews was the basis for brief fact sheets that provided the key findings in an accessible manner. In addition, the reviews are part of the California Collaborations in HIV Prevention Research: Dissemination Project in conjunction with the State Office of AIDS, California Department of Health Services. The materials are available via the Internet and in print for use by community-based organizations and public health departments.

Conclusions. It is crucial to ensure that research findings are accessible to those directly working in the communities that are most effected by the HIV epidemic. Findings from research regarding HIV prevention interventions in communities of color can inform evidence-based program planning and development and service delivery conducted by community-based organizations and public health departments.

Learning Objectives:

This session will help participants:
• Achieve a greater understanding of research findings regarding HIV prevention interventions for communities of color.
• Understand the process of translating research findings into useful formats for community-based organizations and/or public health departments.

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.