|
|
|
|
|
Tai Edward Few, MA, Tracee Belzle, BA, Louis Henry, BA, and Anne Freeman, MSPH. Community Prevention and Intervention Unit, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 400 South Zang Blvd., Suite 520, Dallas, TX 75208, 214-645-7321, tai.few@utsouthwestern.edu
Background: Prevention programs for persons living with HIV/AIDS need to include positive persons in their design.
Methods: Nineteen focus groups (200 men and women) were held in eighteen southern locations to determine the needs of HIV positive persons for prevention messages. The discussion focused on the concept of prevention of transmission of HIV and other STDs, issues around personal responsibility, feelings about disclosure of HIV status, the most effective HIV prevention messages, and the best messengers to deliver those messages.
Results: The recurring themes were: HIV positive peers are the best messengers; medical, service and prevention providers have the responsibility to discuss sexual and drug using behaviors, deliver compassionate and culturally sensitive messages, and be comfortable discussing sexual behavior. Participants expressed considerable misinformation about HIV management, progression, and transmission prevention as well as co-infections with other STDs. HIV prevention did not relate to them, yet many felt responsible to disclose their status to sex and drug using partners. Many did not relate to the concept of “safer sex”; to them safe sex meant using a condom and safer sex had to be more safe so that meant abstinence.
Conclusions: The focus group data and other qualitative data obtained from prevention service providers, were used to develop a two-day course, “Influencing Healthy Sexual Behaviors: Prevention Messages for Individuals Living with HIV/AIDS” to develop and enhance skills for HIV service providers in the delivery of prevention messages by building personal cultural competency and comfort levels and exploring a variety of counseling models.
Learning Objectives:
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.