Erin W. Moore

Taking it to the Pews: A CBPR-Guided HIV Awareness and Screening Project with Black Churches

Utilizing a community-based participatory research (CBPR) approach is a potentially effective strategy for exploring the development, implementation, and evaluation of HIV interventions in African American churches. This CBPR-guided study describes a church-based HIV awareness and screening intervention (Taking It to the Pews [TIPS]) that fully involved African American church leaders in all phases of the research project. Findings from the implementation and evaluation phases indicated that church leaders delivered TIPS Tool Kit activities on an ongoing basis (about twice a month) over a 9-month period. TIPS church members were highly exposed to TIPS activities (e.g., 91% reported receiving HIV educational brochures, 84% heard a sermon about HIV). Most (87%) believed that the church should talk about HIV, and 77% believed that the church should offer HIV screening. These findings suggest that implementing an HIV intervention in Black church settings is achievable, particularly when a CBPR approach is used.

Assessment of HIV-related stigma in a US faith-based HIV education and testing intervention

The African American church is a highly influential institution with the potential to greatly increase the reach of HIV prevention interventions and address HIV‐related stigma in US African American communities. However, there are few studies on HIV‐related stigma and African American church populations. This study explored HIV‐related stigma among church and community members participating in an HIV education and testing intervention pilot study in African American churches, named Taking It to the Pews.

FACTORS RELATED TO HIV TESTING AMONG AN AFRICAN AMERICAN CHURCH-AFFILIATED POPULATION

HIV continues to disproportionately impact communities of color, and more calls are being extended to African American churches to assist in HIV education and screening efforts. However, no studies have reported on the HIV testing practices of African American church-affiliated persons. This study examines demographic, social, and behavioral factors associated with ever receiving an HIV test and last 12-month HIV testing. Findings indicated not having insurance and condom use were predictors of ever receiving an HIV test. Predictors of HIV testing in the last 12 months included marital status (i.e., single, divorced, separated, or widowed) and intentions to get tested for HIV in the near future. These predictors should be considered when designing HIV education and screening interventions for African American church settings.

Human immunodeficiency virus and chlamydia/gonorrhea testing among heterosexual college students: who is getting tested and why do some not?

Abstract Objective: This study explored college students’ reported history of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and chlamydia/gonorrhea and characteristics of students reporting testing. Additionally, it assessed their motivation regarding future testing and reasons for lack of motivation. Participants: The sample consisted of 292 sexually experienced college students self-identifying as heterosexual at a midwestern university. Methods: Participants completed a 26-item survey during the 2010–2011 academic year. Results: Demographics (sex, age, race/ethnicity), behaviors (higher numbers of sex partners, currently not using condoms), and motivation for future testing distinguished those who had been tested ever and those who had not. Half of participants were not motivated to seek testing in the next 3 months; the most common reason for no motivation being perceived lack of risk. Conclusions: Interventions promoting testing can use these findings to target those likely to never have been tested. These results also highlight the need to find ways to motivate students to get tested.

F.O.R.E.play: The Utility of Brief Sexual Health Interventions Among College Students

Abstract Objectives: The authors aimed to determine the most effective brief sexual health intervention for college students, while also evaluating students’ preferences for learning about sexual health, in order to develop a university program. Methods: A total of 302 students enrolled in an introductory college course participated and were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 brief interventions during a regularly scheduled class and completed pre- and postsurveys assessing knowledge, motivation to use condoms, and condom self-efficacy. Results: Findings indicated that having an actual person in charge of the learning process resulted in higher knowledge gains and highlighted a student preference for discussion-based learning, viewing pictures of sexually transmitted infections, and hearing real-life experiences about the consequences of unsafe sex. Conclusions: These findings will be used to tailor a future intervention targeting college students for use with freshmen students at this university.

What College Students Do Not Know: Where Are the Gaps in Sexual Health Knowledge?

Abstract Objective: This study aimed to understand the gaps in college students’ knowledge regarding sexual health information. Participants: A sample of 242 participants enrolled in an introductory college course participated in this study in the Fall 2009 semester. Methods: Students participated in 1 of 2 brief interventions and wrote a response paper about their experience. The papers were analyzed using conventional content analysis for information that was new to participants by looking for key words that suggested learning took place. Results: The findings indicated that the majority of participants learned new information. Most learning occurred regarding sexually transmitted infections (ie, types, symptoms, prevalence, treatment, testing) and correct condom use. There were also demographic differences regarding reported new information. Conclusions: Findings can be used to develop future sex education programs for college students by providing college educators with an understanding of where students lack knowledge of sexual health.

Assessing God Locus of Control as a Factor in College Students’ Alcohol Use and Sexual Behavior

Abstract. Objectives: This study explored God locus of control beliefs (ie, Gods control over behavior) regarding their influence on alcohol use and sexual behavior as an alternative religiosity measure to religious behaviors, which does not capture perceived influence of religiosity. Additionally, demographic differences in religious beliefs were explored. Methods: College students aged 18–24 (N = 324) completed a survey between April 2012 and March 2013. Principal components and multivariate analyses were conducted. Results: Findings suggest that measures provide reliable, valid data from college students. God locus of control is linked to not consuming alcohol or engaging in sex. There were differences regarding relationship status and religious denomination. Conclusions: God locus of control beliefs are an appropriate construct for collecting data about college students’ religiosity. Furthermore, health educators at faith-based institutions could incorporate this construct into their programming, encouraging abstinence but also behaving responsibly for those who do drink and are sexually experienced.

An HIV Testing Intervention in African American Churches: Pilot Study Findings

Background African Americans are disproportionately burdened by HIV. The African American church is an influential institution with potential to increase reach of HIV prevention interventions in Black communities. Purpose This study examined HIV testing rates in African American churches in the Taking It to the Pews pilot project. Using a community-engaged approach, church leaders delivered religiously-tailored HIV education and testing materials/activities (e.g., sermons, brochures/bulletins, testimonials) to church and community members. Methods Four African American churches (N=543 participants) located in the Kansas City metropolitan area were randomized to intervention and comparison groups. Receipt of an HIV test was assessed at baseline and 6 months. Results Findings indicated intervention participants were 2.2 times more likely to receive an HIV test than comparisons at 6 months. Church leaders delivered about 2 tools per month. Conclusions Church-based HIV testing interventions are feasible and have potential to increase HIV testing rates in African American communities.

Sex Is Like Jelly Beans: Educating Students on the Risks of Oral Sex

This study provides a description of an innovative workshop that educated college students about the risks of unprotected sexual behavior, particularly oral sex, and methods of risk reduction using a metaphor of “sharing and eating jelly beans.” Intervention development was guided by the Information-Motivation-Behavioral Skills model. Ninety-five students attended this workshop, with 69 (73%) participating in a workshop assessment in the form of a one-group pretest-posttest design with no control group. The surveys obtained information about participants’ demographics, sexual experience, protective sexual behaviors, perception of risk, motivation to engage in protective behaviors, and response to the workshop. Most participants rated the workshop as “very useful,” and many reported the jelly bean metaphor specifically interesting and effective. Motivation to use condoms during oral sex significantly increased after the workshop, as did motivation to use condoms during vaginal and anal sex. Most participants were also motivated to get tested for sexually transmitted infections and obtain human papillomavirus vaccination. This educational workshop is easy to implement to promote engagement in protective behaviors and could be adapted to be part of an existing health program or delivered as a stand-alone workshop.