Adapting evidence-based behavioral interventions for new settings and target populations

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Behavioral Science
• HIV/AIDS Prevention

Background:

• Funding agencies mandate evidence-based behavioral interventions (EBIs) for HIV prevention.
• Implementing EBIs in new settings often requires adaptation due to differing contexts and populations.
• Existing EBIs may not fully align with the unique circumstances of diverse implementing agencies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide draft guidance for adapting EBIs to specific cultural contexts and populations for HIV prevention.
• To offer a systematic approach for agencies to select, implement, monitor, and evaluate adapted EBIs.
• To ensure adaptations maintain the core elements and internal logic of the original EBIs.

Main Methods:

• Development of draft guidance by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention.
• Collaboration with internal and external partners to create a systematic adaptation framework.
• Pilot testing of the guidance with five community-based organizations.

Main Results:

• The guidance facilitates the identification of appropriate EBIs for specific target populations and agency capacities.
• The systematic approach aids in monitoring the adaptation process and evaluating outcomes.
• The process aims to ensure adaptations are culturally relevant without compromising intervention integrity.

Conclusions:

• The developed guidance offers a structured method for adapting EBIs in HIV prevention.
• Pilot testing will inform revisions for broader dissemination.
• This approach supports effective and contextually appropriate HIV prevention strategies.