Preliminary efficacy of a computer-based HIV intervention for African-American women

Psychol Health. 2011 Feb;26(2):223-34. doi: 10.1080/08870446.2011.531576.

Abstract

This study evaluated the preliminary efficacy of a computer-based HIV intervention to enhance HIV-protective sexual behaviours, based on a randomised controlled trial among 135 African-American women, 21-29 years of age, seeking services at Planned Parenthood in Atlanta, GA. Participants were randomised either to a control session two, 60-minute computer-based HIV intervention sessions administered on a laptop computer that each concluded with a 15-minute small group session or to a control session of general health information including discussion on HIV prevention. Relative to controls, participants in the computer-based HIV intervention were more knowledgeable about HIV/STD prevention and reported higher scores on the measure of condom use self-efficacy at 3 months post-intervention; they also reported a higher percentage of condom-protected sex and were more likely to use condoms consistently for vaginal sex (odds ratio, OR = 5.9; p < 0.039) and were more likely to use condoms consistently for oral sex (OR = 13.83; p < 0.037). This relatively brief intervention provides preliminary support that an evidence-based group-based HIV prevention intervention for young African-American women can be adapted to a computer-based HIV intervention.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Black or African American*
  • Female
  • Georgia
  • HIV Infections / ethnology*
  • HIV Infections / prevention & control*
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
  • Health Promotion / methods
  • Humans
  • Interviews as Topic
  • Unsafe Sex / prevention & control
  • User-Computer Interface*
  • Young Adult