152960 A web-based HIV prevention program for women who have sex with men

Tuesday, November 6, 2007: 5:00 PM

Douglas W. Billings, PhD , ISA Associates, Inc., Alexandria, VA
April Hendrickson, MA , OMNI Institute, Denver, CO
           
Issues: Beyond abstinence, the most effective way to prevent the transmission of HIV is via a male-controlled behavior: correct and consistent use of the male latex condom. For women this presents a change because primary male partners are the chief source of HIV infection and resistance to condoms is an important prevention barrier.

Description: To address this challenge, Safe Sistah, a prototype web-based multimedia HIV/STD prevention program aimed at high-risk WSM, was developed. Three core goals guided development: teach women gender-specific prevention skills, emphasize the importance of preventing and treating STDs besides HIV, enhance feelings of empowerment and gender identity. Eighteen women seeking services at an STD clinic pilot tested the prototype. Interviews with 12 STD clinic directors across the country were also conducted.

Lessons Learned: On a 1-to-5 scale, participants indicated that they liked the program (mean=4.67), thought it was easy to use (mean=4.83), would like to use the program when fully developed (mean=4.61), and thought it would help women avoid getting infected (mean=4.67). Similarly, clinic directors thought Safe Sistah could be helpful (mean=4.58), wanted access to computer-based prevention programs (mean=4.67), and felt programs like Safe Sistah could be implemented at their clinic (mean=4.04).

Recommendations: Phase II of the project will involve expansion and completion of Safe Sistah, and a randomized controlled-trial involving approximately 300 women. The primary outcome measure will be self-reported consistent condom use. In addition, the use of alternative risk reducing strategies, mediators of risk reducing behavior, and the presence of STD symptoms will be assessed.

Learning Objectives:
1) Discuss the unique preventive challenges facing women when trying to avoid HIV. 2)Describe the advantages of computer-based prevention training including conforming to the learner’s pace and current skill level, ensuring selection of personally relevant material when integrated with an assessment instrument, and conforming to the realities of many publicly funded STD clinics by adding an invaluable healthcare service without creating additional demands on staff. 3)Evaluate the pilot test findings examining the feasibility and usability of the Safe Sistah prototype. 4)Describe how the full program will be expanded to include enhanced multimedia assets, increased opportunities to personally tailor the program, and creating both a Spanish and English version. 5)Assess the adequacy of the randomized controlled-trial to test the efficacy of the Safe Sistah program.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? Yes

Name of Organization Clinical/Research Area Type of relationship
ISA Associates, Inc. Behavioral Health Employment (includes retainer)

Any company-sponsored training? No
 Any institutionally-contracted trials related to this submission? Yes
Have you received salary support, retainer, or other monies to support your position as part of the research/clinical trials? Yes
 Have you served as the Principal Investigator) for the research/clinical trials? Yes
 Have the results of your research/clinical trials been published? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

See more of: Care and Treatment Issues among Women
See more of: HIV/AIDS