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

Abstract #115774

Stella Gran-O'Donnell, MSW, MPH¹, Warya Pothan, MBA², Karuna Rose, MSW, MA², and Moly Sam². (1) School of Social Work, University of Washington, 4101 - 15th Avenue NE, Seattle, WA 98195, (206) 353-7987, sgran@u.washington.edu, (2) Employment & Education, Neighborhood House, 905 Spruce Street, Suite 213, Seattle, WA 98104

Culturally appropriate HIV/AIDS prevention programs are needed to meet the changing demographics of persons diagnosed with HIV/AIDS, i.e., youth, ethnic minorities, and women. A growing need for HIV/AIDS prevention programs exists for Washington State's Cambodian refugee population, the nation's third largest, who represented 19% of new HIV cases in King County during 2001. Moreover, new AIDS cases among Asians and Pacific Islanders (APIs) in King County were more than double the national rate during the same period. While numerous challenges face local providers serving this hard-to-reach community, federally funded prevention initiatives require CBOs to implement proven evidence-based programs. Using a cultural planning model, Project HANDLE's (HIV/AIDS Network Development and Life-Skills Experience) Cambodian Advisory Coalition (CAC) designed a unique service provision model to address HIV and substance abuse prevention (SAP). A collaborative partnership including the lead agency, CAC, and five CBOs was formed to increase provision of integrated prevention services for Cambodian youth and adults. The pre-planning phase included an analysis of the community's cultural resources and needs. Eight focus groups and numerous interviews were held with more than 70 youth, parents/adults, and providers. Findings from this assessment phase were integrated with analysis of local health planning data. This data was used to inform the remainder of the planning and assessment process, i.e., goal setting and strategic plan development, identification and assessment of evidence-based programs/curricula, development of a monitoring and evaluation plan, and a plan to sustain program efforts. Results and lessons learned using this planning model will be shared.

Learning Objectives: