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HORIZONS HIV Intervention

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
HIV Infections
Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Interventions
Behavioral: HORIZONS HIV Intervention
Behavioral: enhanced standard-of-care
Registration Number
NCT00633906
Lead Sponsor
Emory University
Brief Summary

The Horizons Program will test the efficacy of a multi-session HIV prevention program for African American female teens attending reproductive health clinics in Atlanta, GA.

Detailed Description

African-American adolescent females are a population at high risk for HIV infection. Recent findings suggest that culturally and gender appropriate HIV interventions can significantly reduce HIV-associated sexual risk behaviors among this vulnerable population. The Horizons HIV intervention was developed for African-American female adolescents attending reproductive health clinics in Atlanta, GA. The specific objectives were:

1. To evaluate the efficacy of the HORIZONS HIV intervention plus standard of care counseling versus the standard of care counseling alone in reducing self-reported HIV sexual risk behaviors and incident STDs over a 12 month follow-up period.

2. To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of the HORIZONS HIV intervention plus standard of care counseling to the standard of care counseling alone with respect to reducing risky sexual behavior and averting incident STDs.

715 participants, ages 15-21, were recruited and enrolled at a large urban county health department, a teen clinic in a public hospital and a reproductive health clinic in the Atlanta area. After a computer interview assessing adolescents' sexual risk and preventive behaviors, and STD testing (Chlamydia and gonorrhea), participants were randomized to one of 2 conditions: the HORIZONS Intervention or the Standard-of-care counseling group. Two trained female health educators lead the 2-session HORIZONS intervention which addressed gender and ethnic pride issues, STD/HIV knowledge, assertive partner communication and refusal skills, and role-play practice. Social Cognitive Theory (SCT) and the Theory of Gender and Power were complementary theoretical frameworks guiding the design and implementation of the HIV intervention. To supplement this group intervention, four phone contacts delivered by the original health educator were conducted during the follow-up period. The supplemental contacts reinforced workshop materials with an individually tailored plan for each participant. The control group received tracking calls only. Follow-up assessments identical to the baseline were conducted at 6 and 12-months post-randomization.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
Female
Target Recruitment
715
Inclusion Criteria
  • Female
  • African American
  • Ages 15-21
  • Receiving care at participating clinic
  • Vaginal sex in the past 60 days
  • Ability to give written informed consent
Exclusion Criteria
  • Married
  • Pregnant
  • In a detention center

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
1HORIZONS HIV InterventionHORIZONS HIV Intervention. Two-session, group-based interactive intervention.
2enhanced standard-of-careEnhanced standard-of-care session. One hour, video-based and brief discussion.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Proportion of condom protected vaginal sex acts over the last 60 days6 and 12 months post-randomization
Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Incident infection of chlamydia or gonorrhea as confirmed by laboratory PCR testing6 and 12 months post-randomization

Trial Locations

Locations (3)

Fulton County Department of Health and Wellness

🇺🇸

Atlanta, Georgia, United States

Planned Parenthood of GA

🇺🇸

Atlanta, Georgia, United States

Grady Teen Clinic

🇺🇸

Atlanta, Georgia, United States

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