Effective Community and University Partnerships for HIV Prevention: Promoting Prevention among Women Living with HIV - The WiLLOW Program Gina Wingood, Linda Felix, and Ralph DiClemente Rollins School of Public Health of Emory University and The Emory Center for AIDS Research

Overview  Introductions  Current status of the HIV epidemic  Building effective community partnerships  A case study: The WiLLOW Program  Questions & Answers

Introductions Who are we?

Breakin’ the Ice

“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times” Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities

We hope, We wish, We pray We hope for a cure We wish for a vaccine We pray for an end to this epidemic

Community Involvement Community involvement is not a “buzz word”; it’s an active, ongoing, participatory process Involvement of all stakeholders Interactions must be egalitarian Active participation --> Ownership --> Pride There are multiple communities (i.e., agencies and affected people)

Inventorying Community Assets Community agencies are available in many locales throughout the United States that provide services to support women living with HIV. These agencies, governmental and private sector, provide a spectrum of services such as: mental health services shelter/housing food medical care transportation supportive counseling

The WiLLOW Program W = Women i = Involved in L = Life L = Learning from O = Other W = Women Funded by NIMH, Center for Mental Health Research on AIDS

Involving Community Based Organizations in Prevention Programs for Women Sista Love: A CBO that provides prevention education to women living with HIV Jerusalem House: A CBO that provides housing to women living with HIV HIV Specialty Clinic Advisory Boards: Women living with HIV who were peer advocates of prevention, education and care

Using Community Assets in WiLLOW Transportation Food Childcare Shelters

Peer Assisted HIV Prevention Programs for Women: A Promising Approach Peer Models Promote Greater credibility of information exchange  Enhanced communication in women’s language  Positive role models  An opportunity for vicarious and active learning  A supportive atmosphere for adopting preventive behaviors

Involving Communities in Prevention Programs for Women Living with HIV Collaborating with women living with HIV Initial Involvement - Being your own advocate - Sharing experiences - Empowering oneself - Feeling that you make a difference - Valuing your opinion about your life

Recruiting Women into WiLLOW Importance of hospitable staff Pleasant personality $$$ (initially) Respect Non-judgmental attitude

Involving Communities in Prevention Programs for Women Living with HIV Collaborating with women living with HIV Maintaining Involvement - Sense of belonging to a special group - You are in charge, not your disease - Friendship

BREAK TIME!!! Let’s take a 15 minute break!!

WiLLOW Study Procedures Train Peers and Health Educators Recruit women into study Provide comfortable setting Implement educational interventions (1) 4 sessions: HIV prevention & coping (2) 4 sessions: Adherence & nutrition

HIV Prevention & Coping  Session 1: Enhancing Gender Pride  Session 2: Enhancing Coping Skills  Session 3: Enhancing Communication Skills  Session 4: Enhancing Relationships

Enhancing Gender Pride Enhance self-esteem, self-worth and pride in being a woman Discuss joys and challenges of being a woman Emphasize important values women have

Enhancing Gender Pride Read Poem “Phenomenal Women”

Enhancing Coping R =Relax E =Express yourself L = Let others help A = Allow positive thoughts X = eXercise

Enhance Communication Passive Communication Voice: Not telling your partner how you really feel Body: Head down, soft spoken, eyes not direct Aggressive Communication Voice: Threatening, punishing and demanding Body: Finger pointing, yelling Assertive Communication Voice: Communicate feelings in honest nonthreatening way Body: Head up high, shoulders back

Nonsexual Vignette Getting Your Hair Done You are a bridesmaid at your best friend’s wedding tomorrow. You are excited about going to the salon to get your hair done. You walk into the salon and there are lots of women. After 40 minutes, she finally gets to you. It takes her 3 hours to wash, cut and style your hair. You’re tired of being at the salon. You look in the mirror and your hairdo is lopsided. The beautician says she wants $60 for styling your hair. What would be a Passive, Aggressive, and Assertive response?

Sexual Vignette You’re Breakin’ My Love Flow You are at a party that is winding down. You have been flirting with Sam all night, and he is responding to you. Sam asks you to come back to his house. You are in the heat of the moment and you ask him to use a condom. He says he doesn’t want to because it would breaks his love flow. How would you respond to Sam in a Passive, Aggressive, and a Assertive manner?

Evaluating WiLLOW Recruited over 400 women All 6 clinics that were invited to participate in WiLLOW participated Excellent participation rates Retention rate at 12-months follow-up is greater than 90% Qualitative reports & process evaluation

Thanks For Your Hospitality Questions & Answers