Adapting an evidence-based HIV-prevention intervention for women in domestic violence shelters.

Abstract

Objective Despite the documented intersection of intimate partner violence and HIV, there is a paucity of evidence-based HIV prevention interventions for female survivors of intimate partner violence in the United States. This paper describes the adaptation of an effective HIV prevention intervention, Sisters Informing Sisters about Topics on AIDS (SISTA), for women in domestic violence shelters and the steps taken to improve the adapted intervention’s implementation. Method The adaptation process was guided by the ADAPT-ITT framework and data collected from directors, direct client service providers, and residents of two domestic violence shelters located in urban areas, as well as topical experts. Results Eleven of 12 shelter staff (92%) reported that HIV interventions had never been implemented at their shelter and 64% reported they had not provided residents with educational brochures about HIV prevention. Changes made to adapt SISTA for this population and enhance the implementation of the intervention included reducing the intervention’s duration; adding education about the intersection of intimate partner violence, substance use, and HIV; and adding an HIV risk assessment and safety plan. Conclusions Next steps will include implementing the adapted intervention and evaluating its perceived acceptability and efficacy, and assessing whether contextual factors influence the intervention’s implementation.

Rapid Human Immunodeficiency Virus Testing and Risk Prevention in Residents of Battered Women's Shelters

“…Shelter residents also reported high levels of satisfaction with the intervention. These findings further support that women perceive shelters as a safe and protective environment for HIV testing and risk prevention (Cavanaugh et al, 2016; Rountree et al, 2011). …”

“…The current study extends prior HIV prevention intervention research with women with IPV (Cavanaugh et al, 2016; Draucker et al, 2015; Rountree & Mulrancy, 2010; Rountree et al, 2014), highlighting both the need for such services, as well as the feasibility in delivering such interventions within BWS settings. Consistent with the recommendations of Rountree et al (2014), results suggest that women with IPV are more likely to engage in a brief, single-session intervention rather than a multi-session intervention given their demanding lives.…”

“…It is possible that some shelter residents do not fully understand their risk for HIV and STIs, and thus, consistent with extant recommendations (Cavanaugh et al, 2016; Rountree et al, 2011), further demonstrates the need for HIV/STI education within the shelter setting. Participants reported a large number of USOs prior to shelter (see Table 2), with an overwhelming majority of women reporting a lifetime history of at least one STI (70.4%).…”

“…Battered women’s shelters (BWS), a primary resource for survivors of IPV, can provide an opportune setting for HIV testing and risk prevention (Cavanaugh et al, 2016). Women in shelters have already initiated a change in their life, and BWS provide a confidential, safe, supportive, and resource rich environment where women can safely obtain test results, cope, and access treatment if HIV positive (Rountree, Goldback, Bent-Goodley, & Bagwell, 2011).…”

“…Although researchers have proposed adaptations of existing evidence-based HIV prevention programs specifically for BWS (e.g., Cavanaugh et al, 2016), to date, only one HIV prevention intervention for women with IPV has been empirically evaluated (Rountree et al, 2014; Rountree & Mulraney, 2010). Rountree and colleagues developed a six-week, two-hour-per-session curriculum that focused on capacity building, sexual safety planning, and life skills (Rountree & Mulraney, 2010).…”