Reputationally Strong HIV Prevention Programs: Lessons from the Front Line

Abstract

Although HIV prevention researchers have conducted numerous controlled outcome studies to evaluate the effectiveness of theory-based interventions aimed at reducing HIV risk behaviors, many HIV risk reduction interventions are conducted not by researchers but by staff in local health departments or community-based organizations (CBOs). Despite their widely recognized role in slowing the spread of HIV, very few attempts have been geared toward understanding the programmatic and organizational characteristics of their HIV prevention efforts. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Characteristics of Reputationally Strong Programs project identified and profiled 18 innovative, community-based, HIV prevention programs viewed by community partners as successful. The aim was to determine common features of the programs that could be widely applied to improve HIV prevention research and programs. Results indicated that several common intervention characteristics and organizational characteristics, including agency support and staff commitment, played significant roles in the success of reputationally strong programs.

Sexual Addiction among Teens: A Review

“…Programs that consensually (no or few data-based evaluations) have been thought to be effective HIV prevention programs likewise include the delineation of specific objectives for specific populations, have multiple components delivered through multiple modalities, involve behavioral theories, and closely monitor its activities (Eke, Mezoff, Duncan & Sogolow, 2006). Most sex education programming, however, has produced only short term effects (up to three months; Coyle, Kirby, Robin, Banspatch & Glkassman, 2006;, although this programming hasn't been found to do any harm such as encourage sexual activity (Sabia, 2006).…”

“…A collection of evidence-based, primarily school-based efforts have been created for teen pregnancy and HIV/AIDS prevention, and it is possible that this programming can be adapted for specific populations (Eke et al, 2006;Solomon, Card, & Malow, 2006). This may be accomplished by knowing the core elements of the program, the population it is being adapted to, and then fitting the two together.…”

“We're Going to Have to Cut Loose Some of Our Personal Beliefs”: Barriers and Opportunities in Providing HIV Prevention to African American Men who have Sex with Men and Women

“…The contributions of CBOs and their staff to HIV prevention cannot be underestimated, and many averted HIV infections in high-risk groups are attributable to CBO outreach, programs, and services (Miller, 2001;Eke, Mezoff, Duncan, & Sogolow, 2006). However, because most CBOs hire service providers from the community they represent, there is a likelihood that CBO staff members are affected by social norms and biased community beliefs with regard to same-sex behavior.…”

Adaptation and National Dissemination of a Brief, Evidence-Based, HIV Prevention Intervention for High-Risk Men Who Have Sex with Men

“…These features make the intervention attractive to diverse HIV prevention agencies. As a singlesession intervention, issues of client engagement and retention commonly associated with multisession interventions are minimized (59). Because of the brevity of PCC, counselors only attend 2 days of classroom training, which reduces the amount of time agency staff are away from the office.…”