The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #56809

Kim Batchelor, MPH¹, Doug Kershaw¹, Anne C. Freeman, MSPH¹, Ann Robbins, PhD², Shirley Broussard, MSPA², and Tyson Dudley, MPH³. (1) Community Prevention and Intervention Unit, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 400 S. Zang, #520, Dallas, TX 75208, (2) Bureau of HIV/STD Prevention, Texas Department of Health, 1100 W. 49th St, Austin, TX 78756, (3) Plannning and Evaluation, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 400 S. Zang, Suite 520, Dallas, TX 75208, (214) 645-7319, tyson.dudley@utsouthwestern.edu

INTRODUCTION: In August, 2001, HIV prevention community planning groups in Texas began the process of creating area action plans that establish priority populations and include interventions meeting the prevention needs of those populations. Beginning with this planning cycle, all groups received the same guidance in plan creation, intervention “fact sheets,” and some benefited from a set of training sessions on behavioral theory and research-based interventions. METHODOLOGY: In partnership with the Texas Department of Health, researchers with the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center monitored the latest community planning process in Texas and covered meetings in all six community planning areas focusing on the factors that influence decision-making regarding intervention selection. A total of twenty-one meetings were observed, tape recorded, and transcribed. An additional fifteen meetings were observed and recorded through field notes. A codebook was established by two coders who simultaneously coded all transcripts and resolved any conflicts. RESULTS: Guidance alone was not sufficient to influence the inclusion of “purposeful” interventions; i.e., interventions based upon behavioral determinants, also known as factors that influence (risky) behavior (FIBs). Planning groups with trained peer leaders were more likely to select interventions based upon FIBs extracted from assessment data than groups with no leader who participated in the training sessions. Members of the latter were also more likely to fall back upon personal and agency experience as a preferred criterion for selecting or rejecting an intervention.

Learning Objectives:

By the conclusion of the session, participants will be able to: (
• Describe the process of matching behavioral determinants based on data to purposeful interventions; (
• list the factors that influence intervention selection by community planners; and (
• describe the role of peer leaders in supporting and diffusing a process for purposeful intervention selection in community plans.

Keywords: Decision-Making, Interventions

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.