Rapid Assessment and Response (RAR) to Develop Community-Based, Cultural and Age-Appropriate HIV/AIDS Prevention for Adolescents

Background:

Efforts to address the problem of HIV/AIDS risk-taking behavior among adolescents in Thailand have been acknowledged. However, fewer HIV/AIDS educational programs are designed to address behavior change, cultural or developmental needs for adolescents. Therefore, methods to design prevention programs to match the patterns of HIV/AIDS spread and local need are critical. The purpose of this study was to utilize the World Health Organization's Rapid Assessment and Response (RAR) method to design community-based cultural and age-appropriate HIV/AIDS prevention program among adolescents in Bangkok Metropolitan Areas.

Methods:

RAR was applied to a community-based participatory research (CBPR) program design for HIV/AIDS prevention. This cultural and age-appropriate HIV prevention program was developed in collaboration with community representatives beginning with focus groups (n=3; 27 participants) aimed at gathering reactions/ideas about potential program topics/approaches. Adolescent single-gender groups were conducted to encourage openness and frankness. An adult mixed-gender group was held to review information identified among adolescents. Sessions were audiotaped and transcribed verbatim. Qualitative analysis was applied focus group transcripts. Themes regarding HIV/AIDS content and the process of implementation emerged from the data. The program was then presented to the Community Working Group(CWG) in order to judge completeness. Prior to implementation, the HIV/AIDS prevention program was pilot-tested to establish program feasibility, acceptability, and fidelity.

Results:

Findings were applied to the development of a contextually specific and pragmatic HIV/AIDS prevention program. Community representatives recommended incorporation of HIV/AIDS information and risk-taking behavior prevention skills. Information delivery suggestions included small group discussions, interactive games/role-plays, and HIV/AIDS-infected program facilitators. Moreover, findings informed program materials/terminology. Lessons learned in developing this prevention program were also collected.

Conclusion:

In this RAR-based program, community members are viable and meaningful collaborators. They provided critical input toward a HIV/AIDS prevention program tailored to meet adolescents' unique needs/interests. This model may assist communities in the development of interventions to address local health crises.