An Evaluation of Sisters Informing Healing Living Empowering: Increasing HIV Knowledge Among African American Adolescent Females Using an Evidence-Based HIV Prevention Intervention.

Background: In Detroit, Michigan, 85% of HIV cases are among African American youth. Approximately 53.4% of African American high school females have had sexual intercourse; 44.7% did not use a condom during the last sexual encounter. School-based sexual health education may be limited regarding HIV prevention. Sexual health education that is culturally and gender-specific is needed to provide knowledge that may impact condom self-efficacy and address the HIV epidemic among African American adolescents in Detroit. Community-based organizations may be used to implement an evidence-based educational intervention. Methods: A 1-group, pretest/posttest design was used to evaluate knowledge of HIV and condom use among 11 African American adolescent females who participated in an evidence-based intervention, Sisters Informing Healing Living Empowering (SIHLE), during 3-hr sessions over 4 consecutive Saturdays. There was 100% attendance among participants for all sessions. Knowledge of HIV and condom use was measured with a 16-item true/false survey before and after the intervention. Results: A significant difference between HIV knowledge at pretest and HIV knowledge at posttest was noted, z = -2.322, p = .02. Conclusion: Nurses and community stakeholders can be instrumental in addressing the HIV epidemic by implementing evidence-based interventions that increase knowledge of HIV prevention and condom use.

Sexual Health Knowledge, Self-Efficacy and Behavioral Intentions Following a Health Fair for Adolescents.

High rates of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) exist among urban African American youth. There is a need to provide HIV information to youth prior to the onset of sexual activity. The Stomping Out HIV intervention combines a health fair and step show to increase awareness and healthy behaviors among this population. Questionnaires were administered to youth and parents before and after Stomping Out, and focused on health knowledge, satisfaction with Stomping Out, intended behavior changes and self-efficacy to make healthier choices related to HIV and STI prevention. Youth and adults reported increased knowledge and self-efficacy after Stomping Out. These findings suggest that health initiatives focusing on sociocultural issues can greatly impact adults and youth.