UNIVERSITY OF PUERTO RICO
Grant: $295,000 - National Institutes of Health - May. 8, 2009
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Award Description: DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): We propose a randomized controlled trial to adapt, implement and evaluate an intervention to prevent HIV/STI in young heterosexual Latino couples. The intervention consists of five three-hour sessions held once a week. We will use a group format to deliver the intervention with the couples. This was a successful strategy used in our previous study. The study is designed to test the impact of the modified intervention in: (1) increasing male condom use, (2) decreasing unsafe sex behaviors, (3) reducing the number of sexual partners; and (4) increasing mutual monogamy. The couples will be randomized to one of the following two conditions: (1) an HIV/STI risk reduction intervention; or (2) a life skills intervention, as control condition. The study will be carried out in two phases. Phase 1 will consist of the adaptation of an intervention designed and implemented by the PI research team. For the adaptation of the intervention we will use the ADAPT-ITT model which consists of eight phases: (1) assessment; (2) decision; (3) adaptation; (4) production; (5) topical experts; (6) integration; (7) training; and (8) testing. During this phase we will conduct focus groups, 'theater testing' and a pilot of the intervention. These activities will help to explore crucial feedback and recommendations about the content of the intervention that need to be modified, according to participant's recommendations. During Phase 2 we will implement the modified intervention with 75 young heterosexual Latino couples (150 individuals) at-risk of HIV/STI infection. At this stage hierarchical modeling and mixed-effects regression analysis will be conducted to determine if the intervention accomplished the expected main outcome in increasing male condom use and decreasing unsafe sex behaviors. This project is of great relevance for public health because: (a) it will be the first known prevention intervention designed and implemented with young heterosexual Latino couples; (b) it will address previous methodological limitations by using a rigorous RCT design to test the efficacy of the intervention in increasing self-reported condom use over a 3-month follow-up period among 75 Latino couples; (c) it will test the efficacy of using a group format for the implementation of the intervention with couples; (d) it will employ a sequential approach in which couples will benefit from gender-specific sessions as well as mixed-gender sessions; and (e) it is the only known intervention with Latino couples that is based on the Information-Motivation-Behavioral Skills model of behavior change.
Project Description: The Project ?Preventing high-risk sexual behaviors in young Latino heterosexual couples? is a study which seeks to adapt, implement and evaluate an intervention for preventing HIV / STIs in young heterosexual couples. The same is valid for two years. During the first year we will be undertaking various activities to adapt preventive intervention developed and implemented prior to adult heterosexual couples. These activities include: a) to hold three focus groups with young people, b) conduct a demonstration of the intervention to a group of five couples, c) conducting a pilot intervention with five pairs, and d) lead out consultations with experts. During the second year we will be rolling out the tailored intervention with a group of 74 couples, half of which will be randomly assigned to a control group and an experimental group. Results: At present we have achieved the following accomplishments. First, all project staff was recruited. It includes a coordinator, an assistant of coordination, and two graduate students as research assistants. We also have a COR program student who is doing research in their practice in the project. Second, we are in the process of acquiring the necessary equipment for the project which consists of two laptops, a transcriber machine, and software required to do interviews via laptop computers. Third, we have developed all the promotional materials to be used for recruiting the participants, including a project website. Fourth, we are working with the development of the instrument to use as pre-and post-test data collection. Finally, we are currently recruiting the participants for the focus groups. This recruitment we have been doing at the following universities: University of Puerto Rico, Carolina, American University, National College and the College of San Juan. We hope to conduct three focus groups in the remainder of the month of October 2009.
Jobs Summary: 1)Project Coordinator-Dr. Noboa is the person who coordinates all project activities. She gives follow up to administrative tasks of the project, such as keeping all documents organized and archived, recruit, train and supervises project staff (facilitators and research assistants). Coordinate and oversee the recruitment of participants. Facilitate project activities, such as focus groups and educational workshops. Attend and supervise the design and administration of measurement instruments. Attend and oversee the collection and analysis of data. Prepare and write papers for professional conferences and submit them to the publication in a professional journal, in the rate of one article per year, at least. Prepare and write reports on project progresses. ARRA funds have enabled the creation of this job since is crucial for the implementation and development of this research project. 2)Facilitator-Assist in the design of the focus group guide, facilitate focus groups, designing the 'theater testing? and evaluation sessions, coordinates the development of a questionnaire to measure the effectiveness of the intervention, develop, review sessions of the intervention and design the pilot intervention. Train and supervise research assistants on issues related to research measuring and psychometric properties of the questionnaire of the pilot intervention. Facilitate the intervention sessions and contribute to the analysis of the results of the research work in presentations, writing articles and reports of the project. Participate in the project meetings and researchers meetings, as the IPSI Seminar; and do other tasks related to the project. ARRA funds have enabled the creation of this job since is crucial for the implementation and development of this research project. 3)Research Assistant-Assist in the recruitment of participants, development and implementation of focus groups. Participate in building the database in SPSS, data analysis (statistical testing, interpreting results) and the adaptation process of the intervention (revision of meetings). Make transcripts of focus group sessions and assist in their analysis. Attend to seminars and meetings of the Ipsi project team. Participate as an observer in the intervention?s sessions and co-facilitate some of these sessions. In addition, assist in writing articles and presentations. Participate in organizing and archiving the project documents. ARRA funds have enabled the creation of this job since is crucial for the implementation and development of this research project. Also, this experience benefits the graduate student with knowledge and practice in this research area. (Total jobs reported: 3)
Project Status: Less Than 50% Completed
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