“Because We All Trust and Care about Each Other”: Exploring Tensions Translating a Theater-based HIV Prevention Intervention into a New Context

Abstract

Background A theater-based HIV prevention intervention developed in urban California was piloted with a new partnership in North Carolina. Objectives To describe the experience of translating a complex program with an enhanced partnership approach; barriers and facilitators of implementation in the new setting; and challenges and benefits of interdisciplinary, collaborative interventions. Methods We gathered perspectives of local stakeholders involved in program implementation through process evaluation interviews and focus groups with undergraduates, a college instructor, school district administrators, and high school teachers. Results Implementing the intervention in a new setting proved feasible and successful; however, mistaken assumptions and unrecognized similarities about teaching priorities, philosophies, and values produced latent tensions amongst stakeholder groups, and were a limiting factor in partnership functioning. Conclusions Implementing a cross-disciplinary intervention in a new setting is best achieved through a local community-engaged process, with active involvement of relevant stakeholders. We suggest strategies to strengthen community partnerships cooperating in implementation of complex, context-tailored interventions.

Community Collaborative Cultural Adaptation: Creating Culturally Appropriate Behavioral Interventions through University and Community Collaborations

“…That review identified three broad strategies that have been used to culturally adapt evidence-based interventions including the use of existing research, experts or other professionals, and the involvement of community representatives including stakeholders and other members of the target group in the adaptation process (Burlew et al, 2013). Although we relied on previous research and collaboration with experts in other projects when appropriate, we agree with Mouw, Taboada, Steinert, Willis, and Lightfoot (2016) that the involvement of community stakeholders as partners on the research team is essential to adapting an intervention for a new setting or target group.…”