The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #45074

Ali B. DeGerome, MA¹, H. Grady Watts, MA¹, Gerardine Wurzburg, MA¹, Catherine Harbour, MPH¹, Dick R Lui, MPH¹, and Suzanne M. Randolph, PhD². (1) State of the Art, Inc., 4455 Connecticut Ave NW Ste. B-200, Washington, DC 20008, (2) Randolph Associates, 9816 Pebble Weigh Ct., Burke, VA 22015

With funding from NIMH, State of the Art produced "Positively," a 3-part documentary series on mental health and HIV/AIDS. Three videos were produced to specifically target HIV-positive adults, HIV-positive young adults, and caregivers of HIV-positive children. The series presents successful techniques for coping with mental health difficulties including stress, anxiety, depression, substance abuse, and neurological impairment, as well as discrimination, economic stress, and social isolation. Special attention is given to how mental health status can affect adherence to medication. Each video shows profiles of persons living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHAs) and their caregivers successfully coping with mental health difficulties along with expert commentaries from health professionals. The goal of the series is to improve the viewer’s attitudes and beliefs about mental health services by showing the benefits of the services and the ways to overcome the barriers to using services. To reach the target audiences effectively, "Positively" uses targeted messages to address the unique benefits and barriers affecting each population. Qualitative and quantitative methods are used to inform the message development and production of the series.

This session will present the methods used to develop and evaluate the videos. Results from the evaluation of the series to test the materials’ impact on attitudes and beliefs of PLWHAs will be presented and appropriate uses of the media will be discussed.

Learning Objectives:

• • Describe the procedure for developing, producing, and evaluating the messages and videos to encourage PLWHA to use mental health services.
  • Identify the appropriate uses of the media discussed.

Keywords: Video, HIV/AIDS

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: State of the Art, Inc.
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: Employment -- Director of Research