Reducing the risk of contracting and transmitting HIV/AIDS: An empowerment-based HIV/AIDS prevention program for at-risk women

Issue: According to the CDC, in 2009, 23% of all newly diagnosed cases of HIV were women and in 2010, the CDC published a study indicating poverty as the number one risk factor for HIV infection, after stratifying for race and ethnicity. Project Description: 150 women were recruited from social service organizations and participated in a three-hour workshop to learn HIV prevention skills for themselves, their sexual partner(s), family members and communities. Participants were given a self-administered survey to: (1) collect basic demographic information, sexual history, previous HIV education/prevention exposure (2) measure pre- and post- workshop attitudes about HIV, skills for HIV prevention and (3) assess workshop participants' intention to modify risky sexual behavior

Lessons Learned: 1. Based on the basic demographic data, the program was able to successfully reach the intended target population, according to self-reported income, race/ethnicity, educational attainment, health insurance status, sexual history and behavior, and previous participation in HIV education/Prevention initiatives 2. Analysis of the data assessing attitudes about HIV and skills for HIV prevention, pre- and post- workshop participation indicated that the target population was more knowledgeable in some areas than others. 3. Analysis of the intention to modify risky sexual behavior indicated that at least 35% were willing to take the knowledge and skills acquired and utilize them to maintain safe sex habits and prevent HIV infection. Recommendations: 1. Improve and enhance the negotiation/empowerment and HIV skills prevention component of the program. 2. Include a self-esteem, self-confidence and self-sufficiency component to the program.