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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
Jennifer S. Tiffany, RN, MRP1, Josephine A. Allen, MSW, PhD2, Amy L. Bianchi3, Jennifer A. Block4, Patricia Enekwe4, Douglas D. Heckathorn, PhD5, and Eunice Rodriguez, DrPH6. (1) HIV/AIDS Education Project, Family Life Development Center, Cornell University, College of Human Ecology, MVR Hall, Ithaca, NY 14853, 607-255-1942, jst5@cornell.edu, (2) Department of Policy Analysis and Management, Cornell University, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, (3) Department of Nutritional Sciences, Cornell University, MVR Hall, Ithaca, NY 14853, (4) College of Human Ecology, Cornell University, MVR Hall, Ithaca, NY 14853, (5) Department of Sociology, Cornell University, Uris Hall, Ithaca, NY 14853, (6) Policy Analysis and Management, Cornell University, 140 MVR Hall, Ithaca, NY 14853
Background: Participant-Driven Recruitment/Respondent-Driven Sampling PDR/ RDS has proven successful at engaging members of hidden and stigmatized populations in HIV prevention efforts. Researchers obtain unbiased samples while using participatory recruitment strategies. The present study extends the use of PDR/RDS to a general population of 15-19 year old rural adolescents in a high HIV-seroprevalence state. This paper presents baseline data from 62 survey participants.
Methods: Beginning with a small number of "seeds" recruited through youth organizations and human service agencies, each adolescent 1) completed an in-depth (23 page) survey on HIV understanding, AIDS-related worry, personal risk/protective practices, and parent-teen/adult-teen communication, 2) took part in 90 minutes of interactive, peer-led learning exercises, and 3) recruited others to join. Monetary incentives ($10-$20) fostered long recruiting chains that reached deeply into social networks.
Results: Participation rates by young men (53% of sample), residents of small villages/farming communities (42%), and minority youth (7%) were proportionate to 2000 census data and higher than obtained in prior studies. Participants included out-of-school youth. Survey results indicate significant knowledge gaps regarding HIV transmission, risk reduction, treatment, and natural history, as well as very high rates of AIDS-related worry: 65% worried that they, themselves, would contract HIV, 77% worried that someone they knew would contract HIV/AIDS, and 67% worried that someone they knew had HIV/AIDS and had not told them. Of the respondents, one-third knew someone with HIV/AIDS; 11% had family members with HIV/AIDS.
Conclusions: PDR/RDS is an effective strategy for engaging young people in HIV prevention research.
Learning Objectives: Participants in this session will be able to
Keywords: Adolescents, HIV/AIDS
Related Web page: www.humec.cornell.edu/pam/extensn/hivaids/index.cfm
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
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.