Health, Enlightenment, Awareness, and Living Program: Assessing the Impact of a Culturally Sensitive Model to Addressing HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis Disparities Among African Americans in Metropolitan Atlanta

Background: Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are highly prevalent within African-American communities. HIV/AIDS is a leading cause of death amongst adult and youth populations. Engaging in unprotected sex and substance abuse have been associated with an increased risk for contracting an STD. Studies indicate that increased STD prevention and reduction knowledge can be effective in reducing risk behaviors that lead to contracting HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis. The Health, Enlightenment, Awareness, and Living Program (HEAL) serves African-American women ages 18 to 55 and youth ages 12 to 18. It is focused on prevention and reduction associated with substance abuse and transmission of HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis. The Morehouse School of Medicine Prevention Research Center collaborated with Wholistic Stress Control Institute, Incorporated to evaluate the HEAL program. Purpose: This presentation will detail process and outcome evaluation of the HEAL Program and discuss practical applications. Methods: HEAL was implemented with 135 predominately African-American adults (77%) and 36 youth (96%) in 2009. Nearly half (44%) of adults and 11% of youth had re-entered into the community following incarceration. Pre-test and post –test surveys were used to assess program outcomes using paired-sample t-test and McNemar tests. Focus groups were conducted to gain participants' perspectives regarding the program. Grounded theory guided qualitative data analysis. Results: Statistically significant increases were seen in Hepatitis knowledge for women (t(34) = 4.53, p = 0.000) as well as youth (t(21) = 4.16, p = 0.000). Cigarette smoking (t(34) = 2.30, p = 0.028) and other tobacco product usage (t(34) = 2.09, p = 0.045) decreases were statistically significant from pre- to post-test survey indicating increased knowledge of associated health risks. Decreases were also seen in additional self-reported risky behaviors including unprotected sex and other types of substance abuse. Program participants identified salient topics including Hepatitis and STD knowledge. Instructors' compassion and positive energy were positioned as instrumental to the HEAL experience. Discussion: HEAL integrates HIV/AIDS, Substance Abuse, and Hepatitis knowledge with discussion of consequential outcomes to help participants understand the benefits of healthy behaviors. It also provides a positive, supportive learning environment to foster prevention strategy development and risk reduction.