title: A Randomized Trial to Evaluate the Efficacy of a Web-Based HIV Behavioral Intervention for High-Risk African American Women.
abstract: The aim of this study was to develop and test a cost-effective, scalable HIV behavioral intervention for African American women. Eighty-three African American women were recruited from a community health center and randomly assigned to either the web-based Safe Sistah program or to a delayed HIV education control condition. The primary outcome was self-reported condom use. Secondary measures assessed other aspects of the gender-focused training included in Safe Sistah. Participants completed self-report assessments prior to randomization, 1- and 4-months after their program experience. Across the entire study period, women in the experimental condition significantly increased their condom use relative to controls (F = 5.126, p = 0.027). Significant effects were also found for sexual communication, sex refusal, condom use after alcohol consumption, and HIV prevention knowledge. These findings indicate that this web-based program could be an important component in reducing the HIV disparities among African American women.
authors.affiliation: ISA Associates, Inc., 201 North Union Street, Suite 330, Alexandria, VA, 22314, USA, dbillings@isagroup.com.
authors.forename: Douglas W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Billings
authors.forename: Samantha L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Leaf
authors.forename: Joy
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Spencer
authors.forename: Terrlynn
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Crenshaw
authors.forename: Sheila
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Brockington
authors.forename: Reeshad S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Dalal
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000523:psychology*; D001521:Behavior Therapy; D017280:Condoms / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004219:District of Columbia; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D054625:Healthcare Disparities; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008875:Middle Aged; D015397:Program Evaluation; D040242:Risk Reduction Behavior; D021841:Safe Sex; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D013689:Telephone