Research
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Adagio Health's Department of Applied Research is responsible for needs
assessment and evaluation of Adagio Health services and projects. In
addition, Adagio Health researchers work on a variety of projects addressing
a wide range of health concerns, from teen pregnancy to HIV/AIDS, tobacco
cessation to cancer screening.
Real AIDS Prevention Project (RAPP)
Recently, the Department of Applied Research was part of a CDC-funded, multi-site study known nationally as the HIV Prevention in Women and Infants Demonstration Project (WIDP). Locally, the project was known as Real AIDS Prevention Project (RAPP). This community-level intervention combines distribution of "real life" role model stories and condoms with small-group activities and support of local businesses and organizations to encourage women to use condoms and reduce their risk for HIV. Evaluation was conducted through four annual cross-sectional surveys.
The evaluation showed that the program was effective, and Adagio Health
was selected by CDC to develop and test a package of materials for use
by other communities to replicate RAPP. The package includes a video,
"how-to" manual, training materials, and role model stories. Read the
CDC's overview
of the project or contact Adagio Health
for more information.
Implementation of the RAPP model has been expanded through funding
administered by the Jewish Healthcare Foundation. Adagio Health has
adapted RAPP strategies (e.g., peer-based outreach, role model stories,
and community support) to a teen-centered HIV prevention project in
two urban areas of Pittsburgh.
Peer networking and community mobilization also form the core for an HIV prevention effort being conducted in collaboration with the Beaver County AIDS Services Organization.
Teen Pregnancy Prevention
Adagio Health has also been funded by the CDC for a five-year project
to reduce teen pregnancy in Allegheny County. This project, commonly
known as "Reaching Communities for a Cause" (RCC), is one of just thirteen
CDC-funded teen pregnancy prevention projects across the U.S. The Research
department works closely with Adagio Health's Center for Adolescent
Pregnancy Prevention to evaluate this program. Evaluation instruments
are developed or adapted to fit each component of the program. Feedback
from analyses is provided regularly to program staff, RCC communities,
and the CDC.
Recently, Research and CAPP collaborated to produce a report called Teen Pregnancy in Pittsburgh and Allegheny County: A Comprehensive Look. This report, funded by the Grable Foundation, takes a close look at teen pregnancy locally, as well as on the state- and national- levels, and presents some effective strategies for addressing the problem. Read more about the report.
Emergency Contraception
Adagio Health, in collaboration with Family Planning Council of Philadelphia,
has received funding from the National Institute of Child Health and
Human Development (NICHD) to study women's use of emergency contraception
(ECP). This project compares use of emergency contraception when it
is obtained in advance with use of ECP when it must be requested and
obtained after unprotected sexual intercourse. Project researchers examine
a range of influencing factors (e.g., environment, relationships, and
behavior).
Cancer Screening
Adagio Health has received funding as part of the Pennsylvania Department
of Health's Cancer Research Initiative to investigate the question:
What factors contribute to low rates of screening for breast and cervical
cancer among African American, Latino, Appalachian, and Amish women?
Through surveys, focus groups and interviews, researchers will collect
data from the women themselves and from health care providers who serve
them. Findings will provide information about the factors that affect
access and utilization of services that can lead to timely detection
of cancer in these population groups. These findings will be used in
health promotion efforts and health care services to increase early
detection.
Tobacco Cessation and Prevention
As part of the Tobacco Settlement/Act 77, Adagio Health’s Applied
Research staff are providing needs and assets assessment, evaluation,
and/or program planning information to support counties across western
Pennsylvania in their tobacco prevention and cessation efforts. Researchers
are currently providing support to eight counties (Butler, Clearfield,
Erie, Forest, Jefferson, Warren, Washington and Westmoreland). Based
on an extensive review of tobacco-use studies, staff are conducting
and analyzing interviews and focus groups with community members, service
providers, and members of high-risk or hard-to-reach groups (e.g., pregnant
women, college students, teens, and minorities). Researchers are also
assisting county coalition leadership in developing evaluation tools,
analyzing data and preparing year-end reports.
Integrated Messages
Adagio Health's Research department also collaborates with Family Planning
Council of Philadelphia on a project to develop, implement, and evaluate
intervention messages and strategies to integrate HIV/AIDS, STD, and
teen pregnancy prevention efforts. During the course of this project,
messages and strategies will be identified. Also, a center for providing
HIV/AIDS, STD, and teen pregnancy prevention information and services
to teens and parents will be developed in Philadelphia. Effective messages
and strategies will be made available for replication by other communities.
Title X Non-Medical Clients
Through Title X funding, people are able to receive not only medical
health services, but also non-medical services, such as reproductive
health education and counseling. Although these valuable non-medical
services reach tens of thousands of people each year, there is currently
no system to count these clients. Adagio Health has received funding
from the Office of Population Affairs (OPA) to develop such a counting
system. The research department is involved in establishing standards
and criteria for counting users of non-medical services, developing
a record keeping and reporting system for non-medical clients, conducting
a national assessment of Title X grantees to determine the potential
impact of recording non-medical clients into the family planning database,
and conducting two field tests to evaluate the burden and effectiveness
of recording and reporting non-medical users. Upon project completion,
Adagio Health will develop a replication package for OPA to implement
across the U.S.
Data Collection
Adagio Health's Research department collects current information on
the issues that affect the health of women and their families. Annually,
the department compiles state-specific data related to women's health,
including:
- Pregnancy
- prenatal care
- low birthweight babies
- infant mortality
- STDs
- AIDS
- cancer incidence/ cancer screening
- women in need of contraceptive services
- publicly-funded contraceptive services
- public expenditures for contraceptive services
Technical Assistance
The Research department provides technical assistance for a variety
of internal and external projects. Research staff are available for
research design, development of evaluation instruments, and data analysis.
For more information, contact Adagio Health.
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