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Abstract
Utilization of multi-level HIV prevention interventions among African American men who have sex with men
R Swayzer III1, D Porche2
1Brotherhood, Incorporated, New Orleans, United States; 2Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, United States
ISSUE: Culturally appropriate prevention interventions must be designed to address the diverse needs of African American men who have sex with men (AAMSM). Multi-level interventions comprising the individual, group, and community that are based on in-depth needs assessments have a greater impact on changing risk behavior.
DESCRIPTION: The Men of Color AIDS Prevention Project (MOCAPP) was developed to address the prevention needs of AAMSM. After an in-depth needs assessment focusing on identifying 1) barriers to early HIV testing, 2) barriers to safer sex, and 3) risk behaviors, project activities were used to design specific HIV prevention interventions. Individual, group, and community level interventions were implemented in New Orleans, Louisiana targeting AAMSM in the 70116 and 70112 locale. Interventions implemented included 1) street and venue based outreach, 2) peer education, and 3) safer sex skits.
LESSONS LEARNED: During October 1999-October 2000, 4,556 MSM received a series of HIV prevention interventions. Twenty-nine individuals were trained as peer educators, utilizing a culturally appropriate curriculum. Peer educators reached 651 individuals in their existing social networks and through venue based outreach. Venue based outreach targeting AAMSM at two local bars reached 1,069 individuals. Street outreach to AAMSM commercial sex workers and AA at risk youth impacted 1,024 individuals. Through the implementation of safer sex skits in two MSM bars, 1,272 individuals were reached. Findings indicate that prevention programs utilizing individual, group, and community level interventions have a greater capacity to impact risk behavior.
RECOMMENDATIONS: HIV prevention interventions targeting AAMSM should be culturally appropriate based on community assessment target individuals at multiple levels. Knowledge, attitude, and behavior surveys should be implemented at each intervention level to assess the actual changes in risk behaviors.
The XIV International AIDS Conference
Abstract no.
TuPeF5424
Suggested Citation
" R Swayzer III , , et al.
Utilization of multi-level HIV prevention interventions among African American men who have sex with men
.
Poster Exhibition:
The XIV International AIDS Conference:
Abstract no.
TuPeF5424"
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