Partnership selection and formation: a case study of developing adolescent health community-researcher partnerships in fifteen U.S. communities.
OBJECTIVE
This study describes the partner selection process in 15 U.S. communities developing community-researcher partnerships for the Connect to Protect (C2P): Partnerships for Youth Prevention Interventions, an initiative of the Adolescent Trials Network for human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) Interventions.


METHODS
Each site generated an epidemiological profile of urban youth in their community, selected a focus population and geographic area of youth at risk for HIV, conducted a series of successive structured interviews, and engaged in a process of relationship-building efforts culminating in a collaborative network of community agencies.


RESULTS
Sites chose as their primary target population young women who have sex with men (n = 8 sites), young men who have sex with men (n = 6), and intravenous drug users (n = 1). Of 1162 agencies initially interviewed, 281 of 335 approached (84%) agreed to join the partnership (average 19/site). A diverse array of community agencies were represented in the final collaborative network; specific characteristics included: 93% served the sites' target population, 54% were predominantly youth oriented, 59% were located in the geographical area of focus, and 39% reported provision of HIV/STI (sexually transmitted infection) prevention services. Relationship-building activities, development of collaborative relationships, and lessons learned, including barriers and facilitators to partnership, are also described.


CONCLUSIONS
Study findings address a major gap in the community partner research literature. Health researchers and policymakers need an effective partner selection framework whereby community-researcher partnerships can develop a solid foundation to address public health concerns.
Straub
Diane M
DM
Department of Pediatrics, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida 33606, USA. dstraub@hsc.usf.edu
Deeds
Bethany Griffin
BG
Willard
Nancy
N
Castor
Judith
J
Peralta
Ligia
L
Francisco
Vincent T
VT
Ellen
Jonathan
J
D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D016497:Adolescent Health Services; D035841:Behavioral Research / Q000379:methods*; D003256:Community Participation; D003159:Community-Institutional Relations; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D040261:Harm Reduction; D006302:Health Services Research / Q000379:methods*; D018451:Homosexuality, Male; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D019982:Organizational Case Studies; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000517:prevention & control; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014495:Universities; D014504:Urban Health