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Using formative research to lay the foundation for community level HIV prevention efforts: an example from the AIDS
D L Higgins1, K O'Reilly, N Tashima
1Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention, National Center for HIV, STD, and TB Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA.
Public Health Reports (Washington, D.C. : 1974)
|January 1, 1996
Summary
Developing effective HIV prevention interventions for high-risk groups requires understanding their unique needs. A 6-month formative research process, using diverse data collection methods, proved crucial for creating culturally appropriate community-level HIV prevention programs.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Community Psychology
- Sociology
- Anthropology
Background:
- The AIDS Community Demonstration Projects aimed to deliver HIV prevention interventions to hard-to-reach, high-risk populations.
- A standardized research protocol guided intervention development, delivery, and evaluation.
- Formative research was essential for tailoring interventions to specific target groups.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe a 6-month formative research process designed for developing community-level HIV prevention interventions.
- To outline the steps involved in identifying, understanding, and accessing high-risk populations for intervention.
- To highlight the importance of culturally appropriate and meaningful interventions for target populations.
Main Methods:
- Employed a multidisciplinary approach drawing from anthropology, community psychology, sociology, and public health.
- Utilized a systematic process including defining high-risk groups, external interviews, gatekeeper interviews, observations, and target group interviews.
- Collected data using semistructured interview schedules and systematic information integration.
Main Results:
- The 6-month formative research process successfully identified, prioritized, and understood intervention target groups.
- This systematic method yielded valuable, culturally relevant information about high-risk populations at each project site.
- The developed interventions were unique and acceptable to the target populations.
Conclusions:
- The described formative research process is effective in developing culturally appropriate and meaningful HIV prevention interventions.
- This standardized methodology can assist community intervention specialists in creating effective programs for diverse high-risk groups.
- Adoption of this method can enhance the impact and reach of public health interventions.