218597 "It takes two to tango:" Addressing gender norms and ideologies among Black and Hispanic women to reduce HIV/STD risk behaviors through a behavioral evience-based intervention

Sunday, November 7, 2010

Alyce Vyann Howell, MEd , Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention/Prevention Research Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA
Patricia L. Jones, DrPH, MPH , Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention/Prevention Research Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA
Susie Hoffman, DrPH , Mailman School of Public Health/HIV Center for Clinical and Behavioral Studies, Columbia University, New York, NY
Jessica Adams-Skinner, MPH, EdD, PhD , Mailman School of Public Health, HIV Center for Clinical and Behavioral Studies at the NYS Psychiatric Institution and Columbia University, New York, NY
Background: The Future Is Ours (FIO), an evidence-based intervention, targets African American, Caribbean, and Hispanic women 18-30 years, at sexual risk for STD/HIV acquisition from their male partners. Through a total of 54 interactive exercises, 31 of which directly challenge gender norms, stereotypes, and cultural practices, FIO aims to reduce women's STD/HIV risk behaviors. Methods: Two case study agencies pilot-tested the FIO package with their female clients for acceptability, feasibility, and clarity. The agencies collected information on session implementation from the staff and participants using process measures to improve materials. Results: Four facilitators completed 8 sessions of the intervention 3 times. Based on the fidelity forms completed after each session, adjustments were made to 37% of the content. A total of 24 women (73% African American, 27% Hispanic) completed the pilot, and 137 participant feedback forms were summarized. Qualitative data suggest that participants received and applied the information in their relationships: In my family, we don't really talk about sex…; This group gives us the opportunity to speak and share without being judged. Agency-based data showed the intervention to be feasible to implement. Conclusions: Integrating STD/HIV prevention programs that use communication and refusal techniques to empower women may reach high risk women and reduce STDs /HIV incidence.

Learning Areas:
Implementation of health education strategies, interventions and programs
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs
Public health or related education
Social and behavioral sciences

Learning Objectives:
1. Describe at least one activity addressing gender norms. 2. Describe how integrating the Future Is Ours (FIO) intervention into existing services may empower women at risk for HIV/STDs.

Keywords: HIV Risk Behavior, Women's Sexuality

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am the CDC project officer responsible for monitoring and assisting in packaging this evidence-based intervention (i.e. developing the Program Manager Guide, Facilitator Guide, Training of Facilitators Curriculum, Technical Assistance Guide, Monitor and Evaluation Guide), and monitoring the materials pilot process of the intervention package.
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.