Adapting an HIV Risk Reduction Curriculum: Processes and Outcomes.

Creator(s)

Melissa K. Miller, Children's Mercy HospitalFollow
Joi Wickliffe
Sharon Humiston, Children’s Mercy, Kansas CityFollow
M Denise Dowd, Children's Mercy HospitalFollow
Patricia Kelly
Stephen DeLurgio, Children's Mercy Hospital
Kathy Goggin, Children's Mercy Kansas CityFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

5-1-2017

Identifier

DOI: 10.1177/1524839916681990

Abstract

Becoming a Responsible Teen (BART) is a community-based, HIV risk reduction curriculum shown to increase safer sex behaviors among African American adolescents. However, BART does not address common barriers to sexual health care access, which may limit program efficacy. We used a community-engaged adaptation process to maximize program relevance and health outcomes by incorporating a broad ecological perspective. Adolescent and staff advisory boards at a community-based organization recommended modifications (e.g., delete references to Kwanzaa, update language, localize incentives) and supported inclusion of critical on-site health services, such as sexually transmitted infection testing and condom provision. We conducted a trial of adapted BART (one session/week for 8 weeks) with 36 adolescents at two community organizations (mean age = 15.5 years, 52% female; 61% reported previous sexual intercourse). Most received on-site sexually transmitted infection testing (61%) and condoms (70%). Adolescents demonstrated significant improvements in self-efficacy for safer sexual practices (p < .02), AIDS risk knowledge (p < .001), condom knowledge (p < .001), and condom attitudes (p < .04). Adolescents and staff were satisfied with the revised curriculum and found on-site services acceptable. Based on improvements in constructs influencing behavior and the successful delivery of services essential for optimal health, future studies to assess efficacy and sustainability of the adapted curriculum appear warranted.

Journal Title

Health promotion practice

Volume

18

Issue

3

First Page

400

Last Page

409

MeSH Keywords

Adolescent; African Americans; Female; HIV Infections; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Health Promotion; Humans; Male; Program Development; Program Evaluation; Risk Reduction Behavior; Risk-Taking; Safe Sex; Self Efficacy

Keywords

HIV/AIDS; access to health care; child/adolescent health; health disparities; minority health; program planning and evaluation

Recommended Citation

Miller MK, Wickliffe J, Humiston SG, et al. Adapting an HIV Risk Reduction Curriculum: Processes and Outcomes. Health Promot Pract. 2017;18(3):400-409. doi:10.1177/1524839916681990