Community and Assessment Components of R.A.R.E Methodology to Evaluate HIV Epidemic Among Youth in Inner City Baltimore


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

4304.0: Tuesday, December 13, 2005 - 4:54 PM

Abstract #115430

Rena G. Boss-Victoria, DrPH, MSN, RN, CNS¹, Joy P. Nanda, DSc, MS, MHS², Olugbemiga Ekundayo, MD, MPH³, Audrey Zarba, PhD¹, Pierre Vigilance, MD, MPH⁴, and Ludmilla F. Scott, MPH DrPH Candte⁵. (1) Public Health Program, Center for HIV Prevention Evaluation, Policy and Research, Morgan State University, 1700 E Cold Spring Lane, Jenkins Bldg, Room 343, Baltimore, MD 21251, (2) Population and Family Health Sciences, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, 624 North Broadway, Baltimore, MD 21205, 410-614-3485, jnanda@jhsph.edu, (3) Department of Public Health, Morgan State University, 343 Jenkins Building, 1700 E. Cold Spring Lane, Baltimore, MD 21251-0001, (4) Baltimore City Health Department, Division of Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, Assistant Commissioner, 1700 E. Cold Spring Lane, Baltimore, MD 21251, (5) Ludimar Consultants, 14804 Cross River Court, Burtonsville, MD 20866-3104

We describe targeted areas and residents who participated/collaborated in the implementation/evaluation of RARE methodology in inner-city Baltimore.

Participants and Community Local, state and federal demographic and HIV/AIDS statistics were used to identify geographical hot-spots and youth participants (HIV incidence, dense youth population and high risk behavior) in two neighborhoods. A 22 block area was identified in each neighborhood. Resident male and female African American youth 18-24 years old, community/ cultural experts, and community leaders (clergy, teachers, administrators, elders, outreach workers) constituted participants consenting to share community HIV/AIDS risk behavior and prevention program information.

Methods and Measures Participants were recruited through local meetings, word of mouth, neighborhood workshops, door-to-door contact, and churches. Data were gathered by four community members and graduate students, all reporting to a field team coordinator and the Public Health Program's HIV/AIDS center director. Data elements collected thru street intercepts and mapping included verbatim quotes of conversations, 24-hour neighborhood physical observation (locations of residential, service and commercial buildings, landmarks, law enforcement personnel, risk behavior facilitators, risk paraphernalia and routine neighborhood activities). Areas of inquiry targeted at in-depth interviews and focus group sessions include community risk perception, social, environmental conditions, prevention resources, best practices locations. We conducted twenty in-depth interviews and eight focus group sessions involving eighty participants, using guided, open-ended questioning techniques.

Evaluation methodology Activities and data were evaluated using thematic and contextual analyses and applying hermeneutics to codify and disseminate information.

Learning Objectives:

By the end of the presentation, you will be able to

1) Define the community and participants targeted for youth HIV/AIDS program needs assessment using RARE methodology
2) Develop an evaluation framework for the RARE methodology
3) Identify key elements of data collected using thematic and contextual approaches

Keywords: Community Health Assessment, Behavioral Research

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.

DHHS' Rapid Assessment, Response, and Evaluation (RARE) Methodology for HIV/AIDS Prevention Efforts Among Baltimore City Youth

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