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

Abstract #64278

Heather Huszti, PhD¹, America Casillas², S. Marie Harvey, DrPH², and Linda J Beckman, PhD³. (1) Health Psychology, Children's Hospital of Orange County, 455 S Main Street, Orange, CA 92868, (714) 532-8481, hhuszti@choc.org, (2) Center for the Study of Women in Society, University of Oregon, 1201 University of Oregon, Eugene, OR 97403-1201, (3) Clinical Ph.D. Program, California School of Professional Psychology, Alliant International University, 1000 S. Freemont Avenue, Unit 5, Alhambra, CA 91803

HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can be prevented with the consistent use of condoms. Unlike many other health related behaviors, condom use is dyadic, requiring the cooperation of both partners. Given the dyadic nature of sexual behaviors, the use of couples based intervention appears appropriate. The current intervention was developed for young women (18 to 25 years old) and their primary male partner and was tested using a randomized clinical trial design with a comparison and intervention condition. This paper will describe the couples-based intervention. In each condition, couples participated together in a group based, culturally appropriate intervention. A one-session comparison condition was modeled on the community standard of care. A three-session intervention condition focused on building skills and enhancing motivation. Sessions focused on condom use to effectively prevent pregnancy and diseases, increasing communication between partners, and increasing sexual pleasure while using safer sexual behaviors. Specific activities used to achieve these goals with couples will be described. A total of 303 couples participated in the intervention (50% Latino, 27% Caucasian, 14% African American). Couples reported a range of risk factors with 76% of couples using condoms for vaginal sex less than 50% of the time. In 21% of couples at least one partner had sex with a non-primary partner in the past 90 days, 22% reported an STI in the past year. Implications for presenting HIV, STI and pregnancy prevention programs to both members of a couple will be discussed.

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of the session, the participant will be able to:
• describe the risky sexual behaviors endorsed by couples who participated in an HIV/STI, pregnancy prevention program;
• discuss the types of activities that were used to increase vulnerability to infection with HIV or other STIs in couples at risk;
• describe the types of activities that were used to increase communication and the use of safer sexual behaviors in young couples at risk for HIV or other STIs.

Keywords: Prevention, HIV/AIDS

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.