Adapting and Evaluating an EBI to Prevent HIV/AIDS Risk Among Apache Youth

Adapting and Evaluating an Evidence-Based Intervention to Prevent HIV/AIDS Risk Among Apache Youth

The investigators seek to adapt, implement and evaluate a randomized controlled trial of an evidence based intervention delivered by Apache interventionists to reduce HIV/AIDS risk, targeting Apache adolescents. Specific study objectives include:

1. To perform formative research through focus groups and individual interviews on attitudes, practices and intervention preferences among Apache adolescents and community stakeholders.
2. To adapt the Focus on Youth (FOY) evidence-based intervention using findings from the formative research, components of Protection Motivation Theory, and input from a community advisory board.
3. To enroll 304 White Mountain Apache youth ages 13-19 to participate in a randomized intervention trial measuring behavior change at 6- and 12- months follow-up.
4. To determine the feasibility of gathering biological specimens via self-administered swabs to track sexually transmitted diseases among 18-19 year olds enrolled in this and future studies.

The general format of the study consists of a randomized controlled trial delivered through the medium of an 8-day basketball camp. Intervention activities will consist of the daily delivery of a youth HIV/AIDS prevention curriculum over the course of 8 days.

Inclusion Criteria:

• American Indian ethnicity and primary residence and/or employment within the White Mountain Apache (Fort Apache) Reservation. Participants must be aged 13-19 years and have parent/guardian consent for youth under 18 years old.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Youth that are unable to fully participate in the evaluation assessments or intervention components will be excluded. In addition, individuals age 16 or older that are listed on either the Federal or Tribal sexual offender registries will be excluded from participation.