172393 Safer sex strategies for HIV-positive women: Results from a mixed methods evaluation of the Protect and Respect Intervention for Women Living with HIV/AIDS

Monday, October 27, 2008

Michelle Teti, MPH, DrPh , School of Public Health, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA
Lisa Bowleg, PhD , School of Public Health, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA
Zekarias Berhane, PhD , School of Public Health, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA
Marla Gold, MD , School of Public Health, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA
Background

Prevention for people with HIV/AIDS is a national priority, yet few programs exist for HIV-positive women. Protect and Respect was a research intervention that tested the efficacy of two strategies to increase safer sex among HIV-positive women, prevention messages from: 1. medical providers and 2. skills-based and peer-led groups.

Methods

Participants (n=185) were randomized to receive messages from their providers (control) or their providers plus the groups (intervention), and completed a computerized survey to measure their sexual risks. We conducted interviews with a sub-sample of group participants (n=17) to understand better their experiences. We used Generalized Estimating Equations modeling to assess the effects of the intervention and strategies of grounded theory to analyze interview themes.

Results

At 18-months follow-up, the intervention group was less likely than the control group to report being sexually active (OR .6112, p=0.064) and more likely than the control group to report disclosing their HIV status to their sex partners (OR 1.245, p=0.071). Participants' age influenced their risks. For every 5 year age increase, women in both study groups were less likely to report unprotected vaginal or anal sex (OR .649, p =.012). Interviews revealed the value of the two types of groups (skill and peer support) and that the groups were a source of social support and information sharing.

Conclusion

Group interventions may offer HIV positive women a way gain social support and information as well as decrease their sexual risk behavior and increase disclosure practices. Mixed method evaluation helps reveal interventions' core elements.

Learning Objectives:
Describe the Protect and Respect program. Describe the quantitative and qualitative evaluations of the program. Describe the program's outcomes and implications.

Keywords: HIV Interventions, African American

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I had a major role in the program's development, implementation, and evaluation.
Any relevant financial relationships? 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: Women and HIV: Emerging Issues
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