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

Natl HIV Prev Conf 2003 July 27-30:abstract no. M1-D0203
Narvaez WR, Fallon S, Santos K, McLaughlin J
Gay & Lesbian Community Center of South Fl, Oakland Park, FL

ISSUE: What happens when a scientifically sound intervention is exported to a community with a different cultural make up and geographical topography? South Florida has high MSM seroprevalence rates of 13% to 22% (highest amongst Hispanic, Black and younger MSM). The Gay and Lesbian Community Center of South Florida examined proven models for addressing MSM risk behaviors (Mpowerment and Peer Opinion Leader). These models have been replicated in other communities successfully, but South Florida's demographics and attitudes differ significantly from those in the primarily white-populated suburban settings where the models had been initially developed. Could key concepts of these models be adapted effectively to meet local needs in South Florida?

SETTING: South Florida nightclubs, community center, gay businesses.

PROJECT: Because of Broward County's sprawling geography and poor public transportation the Nitro program takes its services directly to MSM in a variety of venues (unlike the clubhouse centered Mpowerment model). South Florida's high-energy nightclubs are fueled by drug use, which precluded setting local bartenders up as Peer Opinion Leaders. Instead, the Nitro outreach team members became the program's Peer Opinion Leaders, working outside the nightclubs. The diverse team includes MSM ages 22 to 34, HIV+ and HIV-, who are white, Black, Hispanic, and Asian/Pacific-Islander. Services are provided in English and Spanish. The Nitro staff direct most of the program's components (outreach, discussion groups, community building events and social marketing).

RESULTS: The local community has responded favorably to the Nitro team, which has been featured in local gay newspapers and bar magazines. The project reaches over 20,000 MSM per year through outreach, and another 1,000 per year through discussion groups and community building events. Its membership list has grown to over 600 local MSM who attend community building events and discussion groups regularly. In sample surveys, 89% of local MSM report interaction with the NITRO staff at nightclub venues. Of workshop and group participants, 96% report greater risk sensitization, 92% report increased self-efficacy. Fully 94% of surveyed MSM have encountered Nitro's social marketing items, and 94% rated these Good or Excellent at delivering health messages.

LESSONS LEARNED: Local providers can launch scientifically sound programs with an eye toward both program fidelity and adaptation to community norms and cultures. By the end of the workshop, participants will understand how to 1.Utilize the CDC's Compendium of Interventions to select model programs. 2. Itemize similarities between the research model and the local community. 3. Work with the model's originators and with local indigenous personnel to produce locally effective programs.

030727
M1-D0203

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.