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

Abstract #111115

H. Virginia McCoy, PhD, Center for Health Research and Policy, Stempel School of Public Health, Florida International University, 11200 SW 8th St (HLS 595), Miami, FL 33199, (305) 348-2620, mccoyh@fiu.edu, Robert Malow, PhD, Robert Stempel School of Public Health/ AIDS Prevention Program, Florida International University, 3000 N.E. 151 Street, ACI-260, North Miami, FL 33181, Brenda Luna, Stempel School of Public Health, Florida International University, 11200 SW 8th St (HLS572), Miami, FL 33199, Anne Thurland, MPH, Bureau of Health Education, U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Health, Charles Harwood Complex, 3500 Estate Richmond, Christiansted, US Virgin Island 00820-4370, US Virgin Islands, and Ruth W. Edwards, PhD, Prevention Research: Community development/Substance Use.., Colorado University, Tri-Ethnic Center for Prevention Research, Sage Hall, Ft. Collins, CO 80523.

Background: HIV/AIDS prevention experts have increasingly called for concentrated attention to structural interventions, which can incorporate the context of both the micro and macro-histories of individuals and communities. The Community Readiness (CR) Model guides the selection of intervention strategies that will move communities along the stages of readiness, including the community climate dimension when affected by stigma, an individual characteristic. Methods: A funded study was conducted to assess community readiness and to identify salient behavioral, cultural, and normative beliefs and customs of those at risk for HIV/AIDS. Data were collected using three focus groups and 26 qualitative interviews. Respondents were residents of three of the US Virgin Islands. Results: Stigma is exacerbated by the small size and diverse cultures of the USVI. Family support was evident for many of the participants whose relatives encouraged them to modify risk behaviors. Others, however, were isolated from families and other social networks. HIV positive participants feared retribution to their families; others feared reprisal for buying condoms. Conclusions: Social isolation and vulnerability of those at risk for HIV, outcomes of stigma, can be addressed using CR strategies, such as culturally specific media advocacy in St. John and modeling of Cruzans with HIV in St Croix, to move them along the stages of readiness and prevent stigma from becoming a “marker for failure.” Interventions guided by the CR Model can utilize the strengths of family, social support, and ethnicity to reduce stigma and improve readiness of the USVI to address HIV/AIDS.

Learning Objectives:

• 3. Understand the application of the Community Readiness Model in bridging micro-and macro-histories of individuals and communities.
  6. Analyze the effects of stigma on HIV/AIDS.
  9. Recommend culturally appropriate methods to overcome stigma to improve community readiness.

Keywords: Community-Based Health Promotion, 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.