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

Natl HIV Prev Conf 2003 July 27-30:abstract no. M1-C1904
Rowe DG
D. C. Department of Health HIV/AIDS Administration, Washington, DC

ISSUE: According to the District of Columbia HIV Prevention Two Year Plan, "half of all new infections in the U.S. occur in people younger than 25". Part of the Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) conducted by D. C. Public Schools among high school students, showed that 71.7% of males and 53.5% of females reported that they had experienced sexual intercourse, and 29% of males and 18.8% of females had sexual intercourse with four or more persons during their life.

SETTING: The Washington, D. C. Metropolitan Area.

PROJECT: The greatest radio soap opera drama in D. C. is "What's the Deal-Yo?". Sponsored by the D. C. Department of Health HIV/AIDS Administration (HAA),the show is written and produced by a cast of youth from the District. The script, inspired by the CDC approved "Be Proud Be Responsible " curriculum is written by H. U.college students. A casting call is broadcasted by the partnering RADIO One station, which was selected based on their Arbitron Report for the targeted age group (12-24). After selection , the cast, which consists of D. C. high school and middle school students, meet weekly at Sasha Bruce Youthworks, (HAA supported community partner), review their scripts and revise as necessary for rehearsal. Episodes are then taped for airing. The show addresses a number of important issues, such as HIV/ STD prevention, substance abuse, teen pregnancy and violence. Nothing is more important than their stand on safe sex through the practice of abstinence. The show is aired on 93.9 WKYS every Tuesday and Thursday at 8:50 p.m.

RESULTS: As of 12/02, data was gathered by performing random periodic surveys throughout the city of Washington, D. C. The 26 week periods for each season was divided into four (4) study periods. The survey instrument used is a Teen Opinion Poll. The race/ethnicity for all periods showed 93% of the audience were African American, 3% White and 3% Hispanic. The total sample for each report is 1440. 88% regularly listened to 93.9 WKYS for all periods. 57% had heard the show. 67% knew the name of the show.100% answered that the show portrayed real life. 67% talked with other people about the show. 100% believed that the soap opera is necessary for teens to hear.

LESSONS LEARNED: With community-based organizations and health departments struggling to meet the needs of HIV-prevention education for adolescents/young adults, we have found that if you can find at least one medium to be consistent with HIV/STD prevention messages, young people can be constantly reminded of the risks related to receiving HIV/STD infection and ways to protect themselves. Open end-ed responses to questions from the survey revealed that the youth got theses key messages; have safer sex, get more awareness about HIV/ STDs, or to abstain and not have sex at all.

030727
M1-C1904

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.