HIV Prevention Among African American Youth: How Well Have Evidence-Based Interventions Addressed Key Theoretical Constructs?

Abstract

Certain constructs are demonstrated in the research literature to be related to HIV risk behaviors among African American adolescents. This study examines how well these constructs are addressed in evidence-based interventions (EBIs) developed for this population. A literature review on variables for sexual risk behaviors among African American adolescents was undertaken. Simultaneously, a review was conducted of the contents of HIV-prevention EBIs. To facilitate comparison, findings from both were organized into constructs from prominent behavior change theories. Analysis showed that environmental conditions and perceived norms were frequently associated with sexual risk behaviors in the literature, while EBIs devoted considerable time to knowledge, skills, and self-efficacy. Findings imply that (a) EBIs might be complemented with activities that focus on important constructs identified in the literature and (b) researchers should better assess the relationship between skill development and HIV risk behaviors. Implications for practice and research are discussed.

Invited Commentary: Broadening the Evidence for Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health and Education in the United States

“…As such, there is a disconnect between research and theoretical advances on one hand, and sexual health education programs and policies on the other (Romero et al 2011). For instance, social and behavioral science research documents the significance of the sexual orientation of young people, the gender beliefs and inequities that shape their sexual agency and relationships, and the economic and racial inequalities that constrain their options, as crucial to a holistic understanding of adolescent sexual health.…”

Effectiveness of a School HIV/AIDS Prevention Program for Spanish Adolescents

“…The COMPAS intervention consists of five 1-hour sessions that include components shown to be effective in preventing HIV in young people (Givaudan, Leenen, Van de Vijver, Poortinga, & Pick, 2008;Romero et al, 2011). Covert behavior rehearsal is applied in the fourth module, which is a less studied component in HIV prevention.…”

“…Furthermore, research shows that condom use intentions are determined by a number of precursors, which may depend on the level of HIV knowledge, including attitudes and perceived norms toward condom use (e.g., perceptions about the beliefs that other significant persons have toward using condoms) and skills (Romero, Galbraith, Wilson-William, & Gloppen, 2011).…”

Preventing HIV among Black Men in College Using a CBPR Approach

“…Members of the RIAT drew on findings from the formative research that had been conducted up to this point [11,31,40,41]; theoretical considerations, including the Big Man/Little Man framework [28][29][30][31] and the Information-MotivationBehavioral (IMB) skills model [42]; and evidence from existing efficacious HIV prevention interventions [43][44][45][46][47] to systematically develop the BLHL intervention, a culturally congruent, gender-specific, and contextually relevant intervention for African American/black heterosexual men.…”