Finding opportunities for program refinement: An evaluation of an education initiative regarding HIV vaccine research on key influencers in communities impacted by HIV/AIDS

Background: The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) HIV Vaccine Research Education Initiative (NHVREI) is working to increase understanding of HIV vaccine research among U.S. populations most affected by HIV/AIDS (i.e., African Americans, Hispanic/Latinos, and men who have sex with men). NHVREI is a complex, comprehensive education program that disseminates information through multiple channels, including partnerships with non-governmental organizations, conference outreach, and media activities. A key guiding principle of the initiative is that information will be taken up by key influencers and spread throughout the community by means of their networks. Methods: Evaluators collected information from focus groups of key influencers, interviews with initiative staff, and an online survey of over 500 key influencers identified through organizations for which they work. The survey response rate was 69 percent. Findings were discussed with partners and program staff, who were able to provide cultural context for results and helped to identify opportunities for program refinement. Results: Integrated findings from the focus groups, interviews, and survey will be presented, including challenges encountered and addressed. Presenters will draw upon insights provided by partners and program staff with community expertise to summarize recommendations for refinements to NHVREI that will also be relevant to the design of future education programs based on similar models of information dissemination. Conclusion: This evaluation of a complex education initiative produced findings, which, combined with input from community experts, yielded recommendations on how best to implement programs that disseminate information through social networks.