Minority serving institutions HIV/AIDS prevention sustainability demonstration initiative: HIV prevention program implementation findings

Background: In response to disproportionately high rates of HIV infection among young adults in minority populations, the DHHS Office of HIV/AIDS and Infectious Disease Policy established the Minority Serving Institutions (MSI) HIV/AIDS Prevention Sustainability Demonstration Initiative. The three-year initiative supports the development and implementation of HIV prevention programs on college campuses, including historically Black colleges (4), Tribal colleges (2) and a Hispanic-serving institution (1).

Methods: A multisite evaluation is currently assessing program implementation, lessons learned and sustainability. Methods include: semi-structured interviews and focus groups with grantee staff, student participants, and other informants; and a review of schools' activities and evaluation findings.

Results: Preliminary results from grantees' interviews identified several activities implemented, including: health education sessions led by student peer leaders during orientation, HIV testing offered by grantees or campus and community partners, social media used for HIV messaging, and campus events to raise HIV prevention awareness. Respondents' program implementation challenges include: recruitment and retention of student peer leaders and participants, conflicts between scheduling of program activities and competing academic demands, and student and staff turnover. Schools' implementation capacity and sustainability plans were enhanced by in-person customized technical assistance, trainings and multisite learning communities. Final evaluation results will be available in early fall 2013.

Conclusions: Reducing HIV incidence and related health disparities are primary goals of the National HIV/AIDS Strategy. The MSI initiative evaluation describes innovative approaches to engaging rarely targeted college students, program results and lessons learned for future initiatives.