Local evidence: Success in partnering with community health leaders to build capacity in HIV vaccine education


Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

4117.0: Tuesday, December 13, 2005 - Table 4

Abstract #108287

Gary Chovnick, MPH, HIV Vaccine Trials Unit, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, 901 Boren Avenue, Suite 1320, Seattle, WA 98104, 206-667-2300, gchovnic@fhcrc.org and Leonard Dawson, Brother to Brother, 1122 East Pike Street, Suite 722, Seattle, WA 98122.

To find a safe and effective preventive HIV vaccine, thousands of volunteers from diverse populations must participate in clinical trials. However, research has shown that populations disproportionately affected by HIV are misinformed about and historically under-represented in HIV vaccine research. To ensure that information reaches all populations, researchers can partner with health workers that have credibility with and access to local communities. Such capacity-building strategies are essential to successful HIV vaccine research efforts.

The Community Education, Outreach and Partnership Program (CEOPP), a component of the NIAID HIV Vaccine Communications Campaign, funded 28 national and community-based organizations (CBOs) to conduct HIV vaccine research education and awareness activities with target populations, including African Americans, Hispanics/Latinos, and Men who have Sex with Men. CEOPP's objectives were to increase knowledge/awareness and foster more positive attitudes about HIV vaccine research. CBOs were provided with training and technical assistance to conduct activities and incorporate HIV vaccine research into their existing programming.

To evaluate CEOPP activities, pre- and post- tests were administered to participants. Overall, results from 12 CBOs indicated an increase in HIV vaccine knowledge and awareness (p= 0.00).

CEOPP serves as a model for use by clinical research organizations and CBOs, demonstrating the great potential of forming partnerships to effectively engage hard-to-reach populations. This session will cover the capacity-building methodology associated with CEOPP and innovative approaches used in delivering culturally sensitive science-based HIV vaccine research messages. Health workers involved in CEOPP will play a leading role in presenting case studies that highlight projects and activities.

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to

· Identify key program implementation and evaluation strategies used by CEOPP participants that can serve as models and success indicators for similar community health education and outreach efforts
· Recognize the importance of partnering with CBOs when working with hard-to-reach populations and conducting culturally sensitive research such as HIV vaccine studies
· Describe ways of engaging community partners to deliver culturally sensitive science-based research information to local communities
· List resources for community health workers to learn more and receive updates about CEOPP and HIV vaccine research

Keywords: Community-Based Partnership, HIV/AIDS

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.

Capacity Building and Training for CHWs

The 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition (December 10-14, 2005) of APHA