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

Abstract #115716

Rena G. Boss-Victoria, DrPH, MSN, RN, CNS¹, Joy P. Nanda, DSc, MS, MHS², Olugbemiga Ekundayo, MD, MPH, DrPH(C)¹, Audrey Zarba, PhD¹, Ludmilla F. Scott, MPH DrPH Candte³, and Pierre Vigilance, MD, MPH⁴. (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, (3) Ludimar Consultants, 14804 Cross River Court, Burtonsville, MD 20866-3104, (4) Baltimore City Health Department, Division of Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, Assistant Commissioner, 1700 E. Cold Spring Lane, Baltimore, MD 21251, 410-396-3726, Pierre.Vigilance@baltimorecity.gov

The purpose of this project was to assess the unique risk behaviors and HIV prevention needs of Baltimore's youth and young adults. The method used was the Rapid Assessment Response and Evaluation (RARE) methodology, which included mapping, ethnographic observations of the sites, interviews, focus groups and street intercept with members of the priority population, heterosexual male and female teens and young adults, 18-24 years old. Emerging themes were: youth seemed to be aware of methods to protect themselves against HIV, respondents were knowledgeable about the relationship between drug and sex when the two were combined. Youth felt that risk were everywhere but there were several occasions and places where risk was greater. Recommendations and proposed plans will lead to exploring a defined way to address the provisions of youth friendly programs, especially those which incorporate the youth and young adults of the community in planning and provision of services

Learning Objectives: At the successful completion of this presentation, participants will be able to

• List and describe five methods utilized by RARE methodology
• Identify the stakeholders who may be involved with the RARE project
• Describe the emerging themes from the project

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.