24/7 Training: Improving HIV Prevention for African American Youth

描述（由申请人提供）：非洲裔美国人（AA）社区中不成比例的高艾滋病毒/艾滋病发病率是美国持续的公共卫生危机。在过去二十年中，制定了若干循证项目，包括关注青年项目。FOY是一个全国认可的以证据为基础的项目，面向社区环境中的AA青年；它增加了性活跃青年使用避孕套的人数，也增加了禁欲青年使用避孕套的意愿。社区青年工作者和机构需要培训和支持，以有效地复制ebp。有效领导ebp的一个重要方面是实现保真度，其主要焦点是坚持核心计划元素。如果青年工作者做好准备，具备知识、技能、动机和支持，忠实地实施课程，那么FOY更有可能被忠实地教授，并复制积极的学生成果。尽管以技能为基础的培训对执行效力有积极的影响，但社区青年工作人员由于机会有限、费用、旅行和时间的限制，往往不参加或不能参加面对面的培训。面对面的培训往往不能提供持续的支持和机会来加强过去的学习——这是至关重要的。拟议的第二阶段SBIR将开发并严格评估在线培训和支持系统“24/7 FOY培训”的有效性。培训将与EBP复制文献保持一致，并将包括：1)课程和核心组成部分的导向；2)活动建模，动手实践，适应指导，实施技巧，以及3)实施挑战的技术援助。培训将反映成人学习理论，并结合在线学习的创新，如用于技能练习和反馈的高度互动、富媒体模拟、用于快速有效培训的个性化学习链、用户生成内容（包括播客）以及可在移动设备上访问或打印的在线闪卡。为了测试24/7 FOY培训的有效性，我们将进行一项测试前/测试后随机对照试验，在青年工作者（调解员）对水平上随机分为两组：1)在线培训干预组；或2)社区标准（自备）控制臂。由于FOY由两名协调员领导，我们将招募大约230对社区青年工作者参加，每个部门大约有115对。拟议的研究将为培训社区青年工作人员提供一个模式，以便有效地执行与FOY核心内容要素相结合的活动。如果这种模式被证明是有效的，在这笔赠款下开发的在线技能培训将提供一种可获得的、低成本的、“永远在线”的培训和实施支持服务。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The disproportionately high rate of HIV/AIDS in African American (AA) communities is a continuing public health crisis in the US. Over the last two decades, several evidence-based programs (EBPs), including Focus on Youth (FOY), were produced. FOY is a nationally recognized evidence-based program for AA youth in community settings; it increases condom use among sexually active youth and intentions to use condoms in abstinent youth. Community youth workers and agencies need training and support to replicate EBPs effectively. An important aspect of effectively leading EBPs is implementation fidelity, of which a primary focus is adherence to core program elements. FOY is more likely to be taught with fidelity and replicate positive student outcomes if youth workers are prepared and have the knowledge, skill, motivation and support to implement the curricula with fidelity. Despite the positive effects of skills-based training on implementation effectiveness, community youth workers frequently do not or cannot attend face-to-face training because of limited availability, cost, travel and time constraints. Face-to-face trainings often do not provide ongoing support and opportunities for reinforcement of past learning - which is crucial. The proposed Phase II SBIR will develop and rigorously evaluate the effectiveness of an online training and support system, the "24/7 FOY Training". The training will be consistent with the EBP replication literature and will include: 1) orientation to the curriculum and core components; 2) activity modeling, hands on practice, adaptation guidance, implementation tips, and 3) technical assistance on implementation challenges. The training will reflect adult learning theory and incorporate innovations in online learning, such as highly interactive, media-rich simulations for skill practice and feedback, personalized learning strands for quick and efficient training use, user generated content (including podcasting), and online flash cards accessible on mobile devices, or for printing. To test the effectiveness of the 24/7 FOY Training, we will conduct a pre-test/post-test randomized controlled trial, randomizing at the youth worker (facilitator) pair level to one of two arms: 1) the online training intervention arm; or 2) the community standard (self preparation) control arm. Because FOY is lead by two facilitators, we will recruit approximately 230 pairs of community youth workers to participate, with approximately 115 pairs in each arm. The proposed research will contribute a model for training community youth workers to effectively implement activities integral to the core content elements of FOY. If this model proves to be effective, the online skills-based training developed under this grant will provide an accessible, low-cost, "always-on" training and implementation support service. PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: HIV infection in African American communities is a continuing public health crisis in the US. Over the last two decades, several evidence-based programs (EBPs), including Focus on Youth (FOY), were produced. Given the recent failure of other promising prevention initiatives (e.g., vaccine trials and microbicides) the importance of effective dissemination and implementation of these evidence-based programs becomes even more critical. However, despite the known positive effects of skills-based training on implementation effectiveness, community youth workers frequently do not or cannot acquire the training they need on these programs due to time, monetary or other barriers. The proposed online training program and support system, the "24/7 FOY Training" will prepare community youth workers to effectively implement activities integral to the core content elements of FOY, a key aspect of fidelity. If this model proves to be effective, the online skills-based training developed under this grant will provide an accessible, low-cost, "always-on" training and implementation support service which will help prevent the spread of HIV in African American communities.