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Engaging homeless men and shelter providers to adapt an existing evidence-based HIV prevention intervention targeting men using shelter services
Homeless men are at high HIV risk. Sexual risk reduction interventions can help prevent HIV among homeless men and their partners. Given that the majority of homeless individuals utilize shelter services, it is critical to implement HIV prevention intervention targeting homeless men in shelters. This study engaged homeless men and shelter providers with the goal of adapting an existing EBI to be compatible with homeless men’s needs and shelter providers’ resources.
Methods
In this study, we conducted 4 focus groups with men (N=29) and 2 focus groups with providers (N=12), to discuss intervention preferences, and completed 4 consensus groups with men (N=24) and 2 consensus groups with providers (N=12) to rank and select one out of six EBI candiadates for adaptation. Thematic analysis was conducted to analyze the collected data.
Results
Both men and provider groups identified a high need for HIV prevention intervention at shelter settings. However, providers did not perceive HIV prevention as high priority. Both men and providers also expressed needs for interventions that are brief, integrate condom use and negotiation skills training, incorporate substance use risks, and are tailored to individual risks. EBI candidates were selected based on these findings. VOICES, a video-based intervention, was selected for adaptation after the ranking made by men and providers.
Conclusions
Engaging men and providers in intervention adaptation processes can help to formulate consensus on selecting best-fit interventions and identifying directions for intervention modification. This procedure will increase the likelihood of making the intervention culturally appropriate, sustainable, and effective.
Learning Areas:
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programsPublic health or related research
Learning Objectives:
Describe the process of using the ADAP-ITT model to engage homeless men and shelter providers in intervention adaptation process.
Demonstrate the procedure of consensus groups to reach consensus on selecting intervention for adaptation
Keyword(s): HIV Interventions, Homelessness
Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: My research interest covers health disparities experienced by homeless population, with a specific focus on HIV risks. I have conducted studies looking at personal, social network, and community level factors influencing homeless individuals sexual risk behaviors. I was also a project manager of an HIV prevention intervention study that focusing on homeless women.
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.