Altering key characteristics of a disseminated effective behavioral intervention for HIV positive adults: the "healthy relationships" experience

J Prim Prev. 2007 Mar;28(2):145-53. doi: 10.1007/s10935-007-0083-y. Epub 2007 Mar 1.

Abstract

HIV prevention programs targeted to people living with HIV/AIDS are the US national HIV prevention priority. Healthy Relationships is a nationally disseminated HIV prevention program for HIV positive adults. Key characteristics of the intervention package include gender separated groups facilitated by a mental health professional and a HIV positive peer counselor, both of which cause considerable barriers to implementation. We examined an alteration of the original Healthy Relationships intervention (HR-O) that delivered the intervention to mixed gender groups by non-mental health and non-HIV positive facilitators. Process measures from the altered Healthy Relationships intervention (HR-A) were compared to the same measures taken in the HR-O trial. Intervention completion rates were better in the HR-A model (84%) than HR-O (70%). Results showed that HR-A was comparable to HR-O in social support, group cohesion, and group openness. Facilitators in HR-A were viewed somewhat more positive than in HR-O. We found no empirical basis for conducting separate groups by gender or for constraining the facilitators in terms of their professional and HIV statuses. Research is needed to test the assumptions of other evidence-based HIV prevention programs.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Counseling
  • Curriculum
  • Decision Making
  • Female
  • Georgia
  • HIV Infections*
  • Humans
  • Interpersonal Relations*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Program Development
  • Risk Reduction Behavior*
  • Safe Sex
  • Truth Disclosure