Developing and using a partnership covenant to guide a study of late HIV diagnosis.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Late diagnosis of HIV is an important problem in the United States, particularly in ethnically and socially diverse communities. OBJECTIVES: We created and used a partnership covenant to ensure our adherence to community-based participatory research (CBPR) principles as we began studying and addressing individual and structural barriers to timely HIV testing. METHODS: Sample CBPR principles were used to help develop a partnership covenant that in turn was used in steering committee (SC) meetings to gauge our adherence to CBPR in our work together and in the field. RESULTS: Continuing dialogue around our fidelity to the covenant resulted in concrete changes including a "crash course" on sampling for community partners and development of a community advisory board (CAB). Our ability to meet the project's specific aims was enhanced by using the covenant. CONCLUSIONS: Although time consuming, development and use of a CBPR covenant can improve high-level engagement and help to accomplish a study's specific aims.