Effectiveness of an HIV/STD Risk-Reduction Intervention for Adolescents When Implemented by Community-Based Organizations

The current study evaluates the effectiveness of an HIV/STD risk-reduction intervention when implemented by community-based organizations (CBOs).

The cluster-randomized controlled trial involved 86 CBOs serving African Americans ages 13 to 18. The CBOs were randomized to implement either an HIV/STD risk-reduction intervention whose efficacy has been demonstrated, or a health-promotion intervention (control). The CBOs agreed to implement six intervention groups; a random half of the groups completed three-, six- and 12-month follow-up assessments. Consistent condom use in the three months prior to each follow-up assessment, averaged over the follow-up assessments, was the primary outcome. The study involved a total of 1,707 adolescents: 863 in HIV/STD-intervention CBOs, and 844 in control-intervention CBOs.

The result indicate the youths in the HIV/STD-intervention CBOs were more likely to report consistent condom use (odds ratio [OR]=1.39; 95 percent confidence interval [CI]=1.06, 1.84) than the youths in the control condition. Also, compared to the control group, teens in the HIV/STD intervention group reported a greater proportion of condom-protected intercourse (ß=0.06; 95 percent CI=0.00, 0.12).

"This is the first large, randomized intervention trial to demonstrate that CBOs can successfully implement an HIV/STD risk-reduction intervention whose efficacy has been established," the authors concluded.

The Friends of AIDS Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.


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