The Diffusion of Effective Behavioral Interventions Project: Development, Implementation, and Lessons Learned

Abstract

Implementation of evidence-based HIV/STD prevention interventions can play an important role in reducing HIV and sexually transmitted diseases. This article describes the development, implementation, and lessons learned of the Diffusion of Effective Behavioral Interventions (DEBI) project, a strategy funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to diffuse evidence-based, group- and community-level HIV/STD prevention interventions to health departments and community-based organizations nationwide. The article specifically provides an overview of the rationale, description, and theoretical foundation of the project; a review of marketing efforts, including assessment of interests, needs, and capacities relative to the project; a description of project products, their purpose, approach employed to develop them, and their use by implementers; a description of the project's training coordination functions and activities; technical assistance issues; an overview of process and outcome evaluation components; new developments in response to feedback; and a discussion of future directions for DEBI. Project successes and challenges are addressed to inform future efforts to diffuse prevention interventions.

Translation of a comprehensive health behavior intervention for women living with HIV: the SMART/EST Women's Program

“…In addition, study outcomes support the research to practice translation of CBSM+ interventions delivered in groups and suggest that primary care trainees from a variety of different educational and professional backgrounds can effectively deliver manualized, structured group CBSM+ interventions. Clearly, while reducing risk behaviors and promoting healthy behaviors among people living with HIV is within reach, the logistic and financial infrastructure necessary to implement and sustain effective behavioral interventions is still evolving [39]. Existing service delivery models need to be expanded to include evidence-based multiple health behavior interventions as a reimbursable standard of care.…”

Fiscal loss and program fidelity: impact of the economic downturn on HIV/STI prevention program fidelity

“…We examine how agencies have adapted to these strains and the impact of these adaptations on compliance fidelity for RESPECT, an HIV/STI behavioral prevention program. RESPECT is one of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Diffusion of Effective Behavioral Interventions (DEBIs) programs [6]. RESPECT is an individual-level program, can be delivered in two sessions of 20-30 min in length, and has demonstrated success in changing behavior and reducing STI prevalence [7][8][9].…”

CDC’s dissemination of evidence-based behavioral HIV prevention interventions

“…The DEBI Project was designed to move behavioral intervention packages into full-scale practice [4], through marketing, training, technical assistance, and capacity-building activities in partnership with a broad range of funders, trainers, capacity builders, and implementers. The 27 interventions disseminated [5] through this process are designed to reach various HIV risk groups including men who have sex with men, high-risk heterosexuals, drug users, and high-risk youth, with emphasis on subpopulations that have experienced disproportionate impact from HIV/AIDS.…”