Aids Education and Prevention 

About: Aids Education and Prevention is an academic journal published by Guilford Press. The journal publishes majorly in the area(s): Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) & Population. It has an ISSN identifier of 0899-9546. Over the lifetime, 1553 publications have been published receiving 56893 citations. The journal is also known as: Acquired immune deficiency syndrome education and prevention.

Interventions to reduce HIV/AIDS stigma: what have we learned?

Abstract: This article reviews 22 studies that test a variety of interventions to decrease AIDS stigma in developed and developing countries. This article assesses published studies that met stringent evaluation criteria in order to draw lessons for future development of interventions to combat stigma. The target group, setting, type of intervention, measures, and scale of these studies varied tremendously. The majority (14) of the studies aimed to increase tolerance of persons living with HIV/AIDS (PLHA) among the general population. The remaining studies tested interventions to increase willingness to treat PLHA among health care providers or improve coping strategies for dealing with AIDS stigma among PLHA or at-risk groups. Results suggest some stigma reduction interventions appear to work, at least on a small scale and in the short term, but many gaps remain especially in relation to scale and duration of impact and in terms of gendered impact of stigma reduction interventions.

Development and Psychometric Evaluation of the Brief HIV Knowledge Questionnaire

Abstract: This research evaluated the psychometric properties of a brief self-report measure of HIV-related knowledge, the 18-item HIV Knowledge Questionnaire (HIV-KQ-18). Low-income men and women (N = 1,019) responded to 27 items that represented the domain of interest. Item analyses indicated that 18 items, with item-total correlations ranging from .24 to .57, be retained. Additional analyses demonstrated the HIV-KQ-18's internal consistency across samples (alphas = .75-.89), test-retest stability across several intervals (rs = .76- .94), and strong associations with a much longer, previously validated measure (rs = .93-.97). Data from three clinical trials indicated that the HIV-KQ-18 detected knowledge gains in treated participants when compared to untreated controls. We conclude that the HIV-KQ-18 is internally consistent, stable, sensitive to the change resulting from intervention, and suitable for use with low-literacy populations.

Effectiveness of Peer Education Interventions for HIV Prevention in Developing Countries: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract: Peer education for HIV prevention has been widely implemented in developing countries, yet the effectiveness of this intervention has not been systematically evaluated. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of peer education interventions in developing countries published between January 1990 and November 2006. Standardized methods of searching and data abstraction were utilized. Merged effect sizes were calculated using random effects models. Thirty studies were identified. In meta-analysis, peer education interventions were significantly associated with increased HIV knowledge (odds ratio [OR]: 2.28; 95%, confidence interval [CI]:1.88, 2.75), reduced equipment sharing among injection drug users (OR: 0.37; 95% CI: 0.20, 0.67), and increased condom use (OR: 1.92; 95% CI: 1.59, 2.33). Peer education programs had a nonsignificant effect on sexually transmitted infections (OR: 1.22; 95% CI:0.88, 1.71). Meta-analysis indicates that peer education programs in developing countries are moderately effective at improving behavioral outcomes but show no significant impact on biological outcomes. Further research is needed to determine factors that maximize the likelihood of program success.

Adapting evidence-based behavioral interventions for new settings and target populations.

Abstract: Many HIV prevention funding agencies require the use of evidence–based behavioral interventions (EBIs) previously shown to be effective through rigorous outcome evaluation. Often, the implementing agency's setting or target population is different than those in the original implementation and evaluation. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention, in collaboration with internal and external partners, developed draft guidance to adapt an EBI to fit the cultural context, risk determinants, risk behaviors, and unique circumstances of the agency without competing with or contradicting the core elements and internal logic. The guidance described in this article provides a systematic approach to help agencies identify the most appropriate intervention for their target population and agency capacity, monitor the process, and evaluate the outcomes of the adapted intervention. This guidance, currently being piloted with five community–based organizations, will be revised and dis...

The Sonagachi Project: a sustainable community intervention program.

Abstract: High rates of HIV infection among sex workers in India indicate the importance of understanding the process of establishing a sustainable community intervention program. The Sonagachi Project, based in Calcutta, India, has been associated with lower HIV rates among sex workers as compared to other urban centers in India. The program defined HIV as an occupational health problem and included multifaceted, multilevel interventions addressing community (having a high-status advocate; addressing environmental barriers and resources), group (changing social relationships), and individual factors (improving skills and competencies related to HIV prevention and treatment). The Sonagachi Project's core concepts and strategies evolved as community needs were expressed and defined. In particular, the program was not initially conceptualized as a community empowerment project but emerged over time, allowing for project sustainability. Project components appear to be replicable across settings within India and worldwide.