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

Natl HIV Prev Conf 2003 July 27-30:abstract no. M1-C1903
Gomez-Gonzalez JA, Medina R
South Florida AIDS Network, Public Health Trust, Jackson Memorial Hospital, Miami, FL

ISSUE: Graffiti Parties is an innovative approach to reach and link young Hispanics to services who are in gangs, truant, or using drugs and alcohol and who are not reached by traditional outreach activities.

SETTING: Miami Dade County, Florida has the highest rate of HIV infection in the United States. Our county population is 52% Hispanic. South Florida AIDS Network is the oldest and the largest agency that provides outreach, pre-post-test counseling, case management and access to HIV medical management for all residents who would like to avail themselves of our services.

PROJECT: We will select parks in areas of known high-risk behaviors and advertise a graffiti competition for all interested. We will provide refreshments, 8x4 ft/. Plywood boards and spray paint. We will select a panel of judges from the community at large and limit the message to AIDS related themes. During competition we will provide educational materials, individual counseling, and on-site Ora-Sure testing, in conjunction with the Department of Health and different community based organizations. Two weeks later, when we have test results, we will return to the same park, announce the winners, award the prizes, share test results, do post test counseling and provide those that return to pick up the results with different age appropriate incentives. HIV positive individuals are given information about local resources and referred to case management agencies during the second meeting. Confidentiality, privacy, sensitivity, and quick linkages to support services are paramount when discussing the results.

RESULTS: Our first party drew 500 participants, with 107 agreeing to be tested. 75 returned for test results. 25 Tested positive. During the 2nd party 700 hundred participated, 210 were tested, over 160 returned for results, 6 tested positive. All of those who tested positive were liked into case management and medical services.

LESSONS LEARNED: "Graffiti Party" is an innovative approach to outreach proved to be effective with the targeted population. Reaching individuals that would not otherwise be reached by traditional outreach activities. As a result of the graffiti parties we are energized to look at other innovative ways of reaching out to at risk populations.

030727
M1-C1903

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