The role of community consultants in designing an HIV prevention intervention

This article describes the significant role of community members during the intervention development phase of a randomized clinical trial of an HIV prevention intervention for African American and Latina women and their main sexual partners. Sixteen women and 13 male partners were engaged as "consultants" in a series of focus group discussions aimed at exploring their reactions and ideas about potential topics and approaches for the intervention. Each individual participated in three focus groups-two single-sex groups and a third that brought women and their male partners together. Focus group data extended our knowledge about the impact of relationship dynamics on safer sex negotiation and allowed us to design an intervention that is contextually specific and pragmatic. Target community members can provide critical input during the intervention development process and should be recognized as viable and meaningful collaborators in all phases of intervention research.