This article describes a quasi-experimental evaluation of a community-based, culturally and ecologically tailored HIV prevention intervention for Mexican American female adolescents grounded in the AIDS risk reduction model. A total of 378 Mexican American female adolescents (mean age = 15.2) participated in either the nine-session SHERO's (a female-gendered version of the word hero) intervention or a single session information-only HIV prevention intervention. Assessment data were collected at pretest, posttest, and 2-month follow up. Significant improvements across all time points were revealed on measures of self-esteem, condom attitudes, beliefs regarding a woman's control of her sexuality, beliefs regarding sexual assault, perceived peer norms, and HIV/AIDS and STI knowledge. At posttest SHERO's participants were more likely to carry condoms and to report abstaining from vaginal sex in the previous 2 months; and at 2-month follow up they reported using condoms more often in the preceding 2 months and planned on using them more frequently in the coming 2 months. Findings support the development of community-based adolescent HIV prevention interventions that address culturally specific ecological factors.Sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV, continue to threaten the health of Latinas in the United States. Rates for chlamydia were three times higher and rates for primary and secondary syphilis were nearly two times higher among Latina females than Whites (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2007). In 2006, Latinas made up 11% of the U.S. female population but accounted for 15% of females living with HIV/

Although alliances between community-based organizations (CBOs) and university-based evaluators provide opportunities to enhance community-based interventions, such partnerships may be fraught with challenges and obstacles. This paper focuses on the "story" behind a collaborative partnership between a Latino-focused CBO and a team of university-based evaluators that was formed to evaluate HIV prevention interventions for Mexican American female adolescents and gay/bisexual/questioning (GBQ) Latino male adolescents. A developmental trajectory of the partnership is detailed, with a focus on the creation and enhancement of a reciprocal and mutually beneficial relationship. In tracing this history, the paper explores challenges that were faced and presents ways in which the partnership attempted to overcome obstacles. Recommendations are offered to assist in the formation and maintenance of collaborative partnerships between CBOs and university-based evaluators/researchers.

No abstract

Sustained citizen participation in social, organizational, and civic life is a passionate experience. Those who engage in it do not do so as disinterested parties, neutral about outcomes or distant from their experiences. Participants have a story to tell. They will tell it to those who are willing (and sometimes even to those who are not willing) to listen. Indeed, one might argue that the very point of citizen participation is to tell one's story-to make one's views known, efforts felt, values actualized, and passions realized. We have a lot to learn from listening to the stories people tell.This chapter briefly outlines a conceptual framework for a narrative ethnographic approach to research and evaluation that incorporates citizen participation and community collaboration. We then illustrate ways in which this methodology can be applied in community settings with a description of a collaborative participatory action project aimed at improving the sexual health of Mexican American female adolescents. We close the chapter by discussing some practical implications of using narrative ethnography in community settings.

Background Multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is increasingly used to diagnose prostate cancer (PCa). It is not yet established whether all men with negative MRI (Prostate Imaging-Reporting and Data System version 2 score <3) should undergo prostate biopsy or not. Objective To develop and validate a prediction model that uses clinical parameters to reduce unnecessary prostate biopsies by predicting PCa and clinically significant PCa (csPCa) for men with negative MRI findings who are at risk of harboring PCa. Design, setting, and participants This was a retrospective analysis of 200 men with negative MRI at risk of PCa who underwent prostate biopsy (2014–2020) with prostate-specific antigen (PSA) >4 ng/ml, 4Kscore of >7%, PSA density ≥0.15 ng/ml/cm 3 , and/or suspicious digital rectal examination. The validation cohort included 182 men from another centre (University of Miami) with negative MRI who underwent systematic prostate biopsy with the same criteria. Outcome measurements and statistical analysis csPCa was defined as Gleason grade group ≥2 on biopsy. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed using coefficients of logit function for predicting PCa and csPCa. Nomogram validation was performed by calculating the area under receiver operating characteristic curves (AUC) and comparing nomogram-predicted probabilities with actual rates of PCa and csPCa. Results and limitations Of 200 men in the development cohort, 18% showed PCa and 8% showed csPCa on biopsy. Of 182 men in the validation cohort, 21% showed PCa and 6% showed csPCa on biopsy. PSA density, 4Kscore, and family history of PCa were significant predictors for PCa and csPCa. The AUC was 0.80 and 0.87 for prediction of PCa and csPCa, respectively. There was agreement between predicted and actual rates of PCa in the validation cohort. Using the prediction model at threshold of 40, 47% of benign biopsies and 15% of indolent PCa cases diagnosed could be avoided, while missing 10% of csPCa cases. The small sample size and number of events are limitations of the study. Conclusions Our prediction model can reduce the number of prostate biopsies among men with negative MRI without compromising the detection of csPCa. Patient summary We developed a tool for selection of men with negative MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) findings for prostate cancer who should undergo prostate biopsy. This risk prediction tool safely reduces the number of men who need to undergo the procedure.