263378 HOME: A holistic approach to HIV prevention and program evaluation for YMSM of color in NYC

Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Sherry Estabrook, MA , Community Health Services, Harlem United Community AIDS Center, New York, NY
Tamika Howell, MA , Community Health Services, Harlem United Community AIDS Center, New York, NY
Jacoby Johnson , Black Men's Initiative, Harlem United Community AIDS Center, New York, NY
Ben Parker , Black Men's Initiative, Harlem United Community AIDS Center, New York, NY
Background: HIV/AIDS rates are high and rising fastest among MSM of Color. The numbers are even worse for African-American MSM: HIV infection rates rose 66% in just three years between 2004 and 2007. Even in New York City, where transmission is more “diverse,” MSM still account for 40% of new (2007) HIV infections.

Methods: To address the prevention needs of the YMCSM (ages 13-29), Harlem United created HOME, or the “Helping Our Men Evolve” Program. HOME is a drop-in space that uses multiple behavioral theories and comprehensive HIV/STI prevention strategies. HOME's health counselors conduct intake and 90-day reassessments to tailor clients' service plans. In 2010, HOME enrolled 84 members, of which n=25 received a reassessment within the year.

Results: For those members who received reassessments, a paired-samples t-test revealed a statistically significant reduction in reported sexual risk behaviors (t=5.48, p=.00). As a result of these findings, HOME designed an assessment tool, called the Outcomes Matrix, which measures changes in education, employment, income, housing, HIV risk, and mental health status on a 10-point scale. In a pilot of the Matrix with n=21 clients in 2011, there were increases in mean scores across 4/5 domains.

Conclusions: YMCSM who consistently engaged in mental health and risk reduction services for 90 days or more reported reduced HIV-risk factors and improved overall quality of life. HOME's range of services and evaluation capacity support its clients in making informed decisions about their sexual health, with far reaching positive implications for their future and community.

Learning Areas:
Administer health education strategies, interventions and programs
Chronic disease management and prevention
Conduct evaluation related to programs, research, and other areas of practice
Implementation of health education strategies, interventions and programs
Public health or related education

Learning Objectives:
- Demonstrate best practices for service delivery in a one-stop shop for YMSM - Discuss approaches to program evaluation, quality improvement, and tracking client outcomes

Keywords: HIV Risk Behavior, Gay Men

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: Sherry Estabrook is Director of Program Evaluation at Harlem United Community AIDS Center in New York City. Sherry manages evaluation and quality improvement activities for prevention contracts, including: testing, linkage to care, community education and outreach, and behavioral interventions. She received her MA in Social Science from the University of Chicago.
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.

Back to: 5013.0: HIV/AIDS Interventions: Sharing Lessons Learned from the Field