 | The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
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| The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
Liisa M. Randall1, Maria K Lapinski, PhD2, Mark A Peterson3, and Amy M Peterson, MPH1. (1) HIV/AIDS Prevention & Intervention Section, Division of HIV/AIDS - STD, Michigan Department of Community Health, 2479 Woodlake Circle, Suite 300, Okemos, MI 48824, 517-241-5924, reddog@ismi.net, (2) Department of Communication, Western Michigan University, 325 Sprau Tower, 1903 W. Michigan Avenue, Kalamazoo, MI 49008, (3) Midwest AIDS Prevention Project, 492 Livernois, Ferndale, MI 48220
BACKGROUND: Limited information is available regarding effective primary HIV prevention interventions targeted to HIV-infected persons. Findings from an evaluation of such an intervention targeted to HIV-infected men who have sex with men (MSM) will be presented. METHODS: The Prevention Options for Positives (POP), grounded in an extended theory of reasoned action, was designed to promote adoption and maintenance of HIV-risk reducing behavior by addressing self-efficacy, social norms and communication strategies. The intervention, a series of six group-level education and skills-building sessions combined with three sessions of individual-level counseling was tested, via a quasi-experimental design, for effectiveness relative to a structured series of three sessions of individual-level counseling. Data were collected through self-administered questionnaires completed a three points in time. RESULTS: Those who received the combined intervention were more likely than those receiving individual level counseling only to report having used a condom with non-main sex partners. With main partners, those who received the combined intervention were less likely than those in the comparison group to have sex while high or drunk; were more likely to disclose their infection status to potential sex partners; and were more likely to ask about their potential sex partners' HIV status. Those in the combined intervention exhibited higher levels of behavioral intentions to adopt HIV-risk reducing behaviors than those who received individual level counseling only. CONCLUSIONS: Findings from evaluation of POP suggest that interventions that address social norms and communication strategies can promote adoption and maintenance of risk reducing behaviors among HIV-infected MSM.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: HIV/AIDS, Evaluation
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.