Forty to eighty thousand Americans are infected annually with HIV, half of whom are under the age of 25 and one-quarter of whom are between the ages of 13 and 20. Each year 3 million (1 in 4) sexually active youth contract a sexually transmitted infection, thereby increasing their susceptibility to HIV infection. More than 60,000 American youth are living with HIV, and AIDS is the 5th leading cause of death among youth, ages 15-24 in our country. Sexually active gay, bisexual, African American and Latino youth are at highest risk of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. Social workers in a variety of settings and service delivery systems, and in partnership with other community-based organizations can advocate for, as well as plan, implement and evaluate HIV/STI prevention interventions for these high-risk populations. One such intervention is presented: A 3-year HIV prevention theater/demonstration project has been implemented in 3 Pennsylvania cites (Erie, Wilkes-Barre and Pittsburgh). As part of Pennsylvania's HIV prevention community planning process and through needs assessment data from youth in the PA Young Adult Roundtables and the support of the PA DOH and the PA HIV Prevention Community Planning Committee, theater and HIV prevention education have been integrated to create an engaging, interactive and compelling intervention for sexually active youth. This targeted demonstration project, grounded in behavioral science theory, continues to evolve, presenting numerous challenges and research opportunities in the areas of behavior change, community planning and program evaluation.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this session, participant will be able to: (1) Discuss the CDC's HIV Prevention Community Planning Process (2) Identify a model by which youth can participate in program planning (3) Develop a plan to involve youth in program development, implementation and evaluation (3) Discuss the role of theater in HIV prevention (4) Identify 3 behavioral science theories used in HIV prevention interventions (5) Provide an example of community collaboration in program development (6) Identify potential barriers to effective HIV prevention interventions (7) Discuss the importance of and identify methods of targeting populations for HIV prevention interventions (8) Identify goals of effective HIV prevention interventions (9) Describe how HIV prevention goals can be translated to theatrical scenarios for youth (10) List the essential components of a theatrical HIV prevention intervention (11) Identify areas of HIV prevention programs with potential for social work research (12) Identify the need for advocacy for effective HIV prevention interventions for sexually active gay, bisexual, African American and Latino youth
Keywords: HIV Interventions, Youth
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.