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增长最快的人口之一，在预防疾病传播方面面临着独特的挑战。与男子不同，异性性传播占妇女所有艾滋病毒新病例的75%，主要男性伴侣是主要感染源。此外，感染艾滋病毒的风险比感染性病的风险高出2至5倍。三分之二的新性病感染发生在妇女身上。最后，预防艾滋病毒传播的唯一行之有效的方法是坚持使用乳胶或聚氨酯避孕套。对妇女来说，这是一个重大挑战，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男男性行为妇女设计的基于计算机的艾滋病毒/性传播疾病预防方案的初步开发和可行性测试。该计划将有三个主要重点。首先，将强调发展针对不同性别的预防技能。 第二，性病的治疗和预防将是一个优先事项。最后，增强权能和族裔认同将是第三个主要重点。第一阶段将只充分开发原型的选定元素-足以提供对该计划可行性的现实测试-其余材料将在第二阶段开发。在制定原型方案之前，将对10名在公共资助诊所寻求艾滋病毒/性传播疾病服务的妇女和男性接触者进行两次重点小组讨论，以更好地了解目标受众的需求。电话访谈将与性病诊所的样本进行，以评估这种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，并准备上市。

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.