Evaluating the implementation of a group-level, social skills building, and educational HIV prevention intervention targeting women living with HIV/AIDS

It is estimated that 25% of the adults and adolescents living with HIV in the United States are female.3 To address the specific factors that place women at risk for HIV, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) supports the national dissemination of effective behavioral interventions (EBIs) that incorporate the cultural and gender-specific needs of women. While EBIs have been shown to be effective in controlled research environments, there are limited data on intervention implementation in real-world settings.

CDC funded four community-based organizations (CBOs) to participate in the fidelity assessment of the EBI, Women Involved in Life Learning from Other Women (WILLOW). WILLOW is a four-session small-group intervention that targets heterosexual women aged 18-50 who have known their HIV-positive status for at least six months. Between March 1, 2011 and August 31, 2011, each CBO systematically collected process data from all cycles of WILLOW. Data were collected on intervention participation, client feedback, and session activities.

Data from 24 unique cycles of WILLOW were included in the fidelity assessment. Of the 266 clients recruited and determined eligible, 186 (70%) attended the intervention. Preliminary analysis indicates that 94% percent of the intervention sessions were taught as suggested in the WILLOW implementation manual. Clients reported high levels of satisfaction with the intervention's content and delivery.

Fidelity assessment findings may be used by service providers to assess the feasibility and improve the delivery and management of behavioral interventions. Findings may also inform the CBOs' overall HIV prevention programming for women living with HIV.