The effective use of behavioral data is crucial to the determination of populations at risk for HIV and the design of HIV prevention interventions. To address the need to better understand the way data (both epidemiologic and behavioral data) are valued, understood, and seen as relevant, credible, or biased; the results of a qualitative study of frontline and supervisory workers in the HIV prevention field will be presented. Using maximum variation sampling (Patton 1990), a strategy for purposeful sampling that takes into account diverse prevention situations, such as urban and rural emphasis and agency size, these individuals will be interviewed regarding their beliefs in and concerns about using behavioral data. Further questions assess the use of "traditional" and "nontraditional" data, and will focus on possible barriers that exist to participants' use of evidence-based data. Informants will also engage in a ranking exercise, giving weight to the importance as well as the ease of use and usefulness of different data sources. The purpose of the study is theory-building around decision-making by those working in HIV/STD prevention in order to create an effective intervention to strength behavioral data use. Trends in pilot interviews show a substantial reliance on anecdotal experience as conveyed by agencies engaged in similar work, and highlight difficulty of use (terminology, complex data presentation) as one of the major barriers to the use of evidence based data.
Learning Objectives: By the end of the presentation, participants will be able to: list the types of data most relied upon by HIV prevention workers for priority populations and interventions; understand the barriers to the use of behavioral data; and describe the elements of concern around traditional presentation of this data
Keywords: Behavioral Research, HIV Interventions
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.