HIV/AIDS Prevention
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Adagio Health's Department of Applied Research took part in a CDC-funded,
multi-site study known nationally as the HIV Prevention in Women and
Infants Demonstration Project (WIDP). Locally, the program was known
as Real AIDS Prevention Project (RAPP). The five-year project was effective
in helping women to consistently use condoms by:
- increasing women's confidence in their ability to use condoms under any condition
- helping them identify advantages and disadvantages of condom use
- building partner and other social support for using condoms consistently
A key component of the project was the use of role model stories. These stories were distributed in high-risk areas through street outreach, at small-group activities, and in cooperation with local merchants. The stories were based on the experiences of women in the project area and "stages of change" theory.
As a result of RAPP's success, Adagio Health has developed "RAPP in
a Box," a package of HIV prevention materials for use by other organizations.
The package includes training materials on street outreach techniques,
role model story development, and other forms of technical assistance.
Read the CDC's overview
of the project or find out how to order
RAPP in a Box.
The use of role model stories to prevent HIV/AIDS has been expanded
through funding administered by the Jewish Healthcare Foundation. Adagio
Health has adapted the role model story model to a teen-centered HIV
prevention project in two urban neighborhoods of Pittsburgh.
Peer networking and community mobilization also form the core for an HIV prevention effort conducted in collaboration with the Beaver County AIDS Services Organization.
Adagio Health staff are also active in the Southwestern
Pennsylvania AIDS Planning Coalition, chairing the Evaluation Committee
and serving on the Board of Directors.
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