National HIV Prevention Conference Atlanta, Georgia, USA — July 27 - 30, 2003

Natl HIV Prev Conf 2003 July 27-30:abstract no. M1-C1603
Smith-Bankhead NK, Raduka CP; AID Atlanta, Atlanta, GA

ISSUE: HIV and Substance abuse prevention programs that include parents seek to reduce risk-taking behaviors among youth, as well as increase community capacity to address substance use and sexual risk taking bahaviors.

SETTING: Public Housing communities, Juvenile detention centers and community-based organizations in the metropolitan Atlanta area. PROJECT: The Unity Program is an interactive program for African-American youth, ages 11-18, and their parents/parent surrogates, funded by the U.S. Center for Substance Abuse Prevention (CSAP) (SAMHSA/DHHS) under an initiative of the Congressional Black Caucus. This collaborative project of AID Atlanta and the Council on Alcohol and Drugs consists of 5 core workshop sessions, with 2 additional sessions focusing on reviewing information presented during the core sessions and completion of evaluation tools. A cross-site instrument used by all CSAP-funded projects, as well as a local instrument were used to collect data. Each session lasts 2 hours. Sessions take place over 2-5 weeks, depending on the needs of the host site, and the 2 follow-up sessions take place 2 and 6 months after session 5 (the last core session). Objectives of the program are to improve substance use and HIV prevention skills among youth and their parents, to improve communication skills, to help families locate resources in their communities relevant to HIV and Substance use prevention, to learn more about their heritage through cultural enrichment, and to improve self image.

RESULTS: During the first three years of the project, a total of 41 sites were offered the program reaching 357 youth. Among children (ages 11 and 12 years of age), there was a greater appreciation of the risk of using drugs and alcohol and a better understanding of the need to have fewer friends that engage in risky behaviors. Also among this group there was an increased knowledge of HIV/AIDS, and a more positive attitude toward people who have HIV/AIDS. Among youth ages 13 - 18, there was an increased self-esteem and a more accurate understanding of the consequences of drinking. For all youth, it was noted that youthful self-esteem, intention to be ATOD-free, and intentions not to engage in risky sexual behavior increased between the beginning of the program and the follow-up period 6 months after the last core session. It was also noted that youthful perceptions of parental school involvement, parental expectations for achievement and cultural pride increased significantly between the first survey and the last survey.

LESSONS LEARNED: Although there were significant findings from the first three years of the program, it was noted that there was a significant drop-off rate from the first baseline assessment through the 2nd follow up assessment (six months after the 5th core session). Sixty-six percent of the initial participants completed the first follow-up assessment at 2 months after the last core session, however, only 38% completed the final assessment of the program. Significant attention should be given to the length of the program, as well as the amount of time between core sessions and follow-up to decrease the drop-out rate of the program.

030727
M1-C1603

Copyright notice: The National HIV Prevention Conference is collaborative effort by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a U.S. Government agency and other governmental and non-government organizations. All abstracts published in by the conference organizers are in the public domain and can be used without permission. Proper citation, however, is required.