203376 An adaptation of the National Health Service Health Trainer model for young black Men who have sex with Men in London, United Kingdom

Sunday, November 8, 2009

Osamudiame Egarton Uzzi, MSc , Department of Education and Volunteer Services, AIDS Atlanta, Atlanta, GA
The National Health Service (NHS) launched the Health Trainer program in 2005 to support communities in adopting healthier lifestyles. Health Trainers are recruited from local communities and receive accredited training to assist them in gaining skills on providing individuals from specific communities tailored advice, motivation, and practical support on various health issues.

Naz Project London (NPL), the UK's leading sexual health charity for communities of color, recently launched an innovative adaptation of the NHS Health Trainer program targeting young black Men who sex with Men (MSM) living in London. Black MSM in the UK have higher prevention needs in comparison to other groups. NPL's accredited health trainer program is unique from previous health trainer programs in that it is 1) managed by a community based organization 2) focuses on sexual health issues 3) specifically targets young black MSM. NPL's adaptation of the NHS Health Trainer program has been appropriately modified to include bespoke training modules and innovative forms of recruitment and program delivery while respecting the guiding principles of the NHS Health Trainer model. After completion of the program, trainees are able to assist and support black MSM in London with their sexual health needs in a number of creative ways.

Through the successful adaptation and implementation of innovative programs such as NPL's black MSM Health Trainer program, community health workers will gain valuable accredited qualifications and skills to lead on interventions that provide culturally competent sexual health, anti-homophobic, and same sex affirming messages, advice and support to marginalized individuals.

Learning Objectives:
1. Analyze recent epidemiological, behavioral, and sociocultural data regarding Black Men who have sex with Men (MSM) sexual health in the United Kingdom 2. Discuss components of Naz Project London’s Health Trainer program for black MSM 3. Compare the National Health Service’s and Naz Project London’s versions of the Health Trainer Program 4. Discuss expected outcomes of Naz Project London’s health trainer program for trainees as well as the black MSM community in London.

Keywords: Community Health Promoters, Gay Men

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I designed the adaptation of the Health Trainer program for Black MSM at Naz Project London and I am the project coordinator of the Black MSM project at Naz Project London.
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.

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