Computer-Based HIV/STD Prevention For High-Risk Women

描述（由申请人提供）：妇女是美国感染艾滋病毒人数增长最快的群体之一，在预防这种疾病的传播方面面临着独特的挑战。与男性不同，异性恋传播占女性艾滋病毒新发病例的75%，其主要男性伴侣是主要感染源。此外，感染性病后感染艾滋病毒的风险增加2至5倍，新感染性病的三分之二是妇女。最后，唯一被证实的防止艾滋病毒传播的方法是持续使用乳胶或聚氨酯避孕套。对于女性来说，这是一个重大的挑战，因为男性伴侣对避孕套的抵制是异性恋关系中的一个重要障碍。拟议的第一阶段项目将涉及一个专门为与男性发生性关系的妇女设计的基于计算机的艾滋病毒/性病预防项目的初步开发和可行性测试。该计划将有三个主要重点。第一，将强调发展针对性别的预防技能。其次，性传播疾病的治疗和预防将是一个优先事项。最后，加强权力和民族特性将是第三个重点。第一阶段将只充分开发原型的选定元素-足以对该计划的可行性进行现实测试-其余材料将在第二阶段开发。为了更好地了解目标受众的需求，在开发原型项目之前，将对10名在公共资助诊所寻求艾滋病毒/性病服务的WSM进行两个焦点小组的调查。我们将对性病诊所的样本进行电话访谈，以评估该计划的可行性和需求以及对计划形式的偏好。最后，来自目标受众的20名WSM将对完成的原型程序进行试点测试。如果原型通过了可行性标准，在第二阶段，该计划将进行严格的实地测试，并准备进行营销。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Women are one of the fastest growing populations being infected with HIV in the United States and face unique challenges when it comes to preventing the spread of the disease. Unlike men, heterosexual transmission accounts for 75% of all new HIV cases in women with primary male partners the chief source of infection. Moreover, the risk of becoming infected with HIV is increased two to five times when infected with an STD. Two-thirds of new STD infections occur in women. Finally, the only proven method to prevent the spread of HIV is consistent use of latex or polyurethane condoms. For women this presents a significant challenge because male partner resistance to condoms is an important barrier in heterosexual relationships. The proposed Phase I project will involve the initial development and feasibility testing of a computer-based HIV/STD prevention program specifically designed for women who have sex with men (WSM). The program will have three main foci. First, development of gender-specific prevention skills will be emphasized. Second, the treatment and prevention of STDs will be a priority. Finally, enhancement of empowerment and ethnic identity will be the third major focus. Phase I will fully develop only selected elements of the prototype - sufficient to provide a realistic test of the program's feasibility - with remaining materials to be developed in Phase II. Two focus groups of 10 WSM seeking HIV/STD services at a publicly funded clinic will be conducted prior to the development of the prototype program to better understand the needs of the target audience. Telephone interviews will be conducted with a sample of STD Clinic to assess the feasibility of and demand for such a program and preferences for program formats. Finally, 20 WSM from the target audience will pilot test the completed prototype program. If the prototype passes the feasibility criteria, in Phase II the program will be rigorously field-tested and prepared for marketing.