: Common use of condoms by young adults across all racial/ethic groups remains a formidable public health challenge, especially for African American males (Kennedy et al., 2007a,b,c;Kennedy et al., under review). As a call to action, a collaborative team of researchers proposes to conduct a four-year behavioral-driven research study to modify, implement and evaluate the efficacy of a promising brief condom promotion program in a two-arm randomized trial among African American males 18-24 years from 12 community centers on Chicago's South Side. Accordingly, we propose the following specific aims and related set of research questions: 1. Modify, implement, and assess the efficacy of a condom promotion program for African American males. 1.1. Will participants randomly assigned to the intervention report a statistically significant increase in the frequency of condom use and decrease in unprotected sexual intercourse (primary outcomes) relative to those assigned to the comparison group? 1.2. Will the intervention produce statistically significant positive effects on secondary outcomes (e.g., condom use self-efficacy, condom use decisional balance, etc.) relative to the comparison group? 1.3. Will the secondary outcomes mediate the relationship between intervention status and condom use (the primary outcome)? 2. Assess characteristics of program implementation and its relationship to changes in behavioral outcomes. 2.1. What was the level of implementation fidelity? 2.2. How is variation in implementation fidelity related to change in primary outcomes? For a nine-month formative phase, we will conduct a series of qualitative interviews with key informants and the target population to modify our existing program. Over the next 16 months, we will recruit 520 study participants from our recruitment sites to implement the intervention and comparison programs and assess the efficacy of the intervention program on a series of primary and secondary outcomes. Assuming 30% attrition rate (n=156), we expect to collect complete outcome data via Audio Computer Assisted Self Interview (ACASI) from about 364 participants over 12-months. In addition, we will conduct biological assessment of STDs to validate participants'self-reports on sexual behaviors at all assessment points. This proposed study is an extension of a recently completed NIH-funded R21 (PI: Kennedy) to develop, implement, and pilot a brief condom promotion program for African American males (Kennedy et al., 2007a,b,c;Kennedy et al., under review). We have assembled a collaborative team of experienced investigators and research partners to successfully implement this proposed project.

Public Health Relevance

Promoting condom use among minority males from low income communities remains a major public health challenge in intervention research. The proposed project aims to modify, administer, and evaluate the efficacy of a brief condom promotion program to motivate, support, and sustain condom use among young adult African American males. Accordingly, this proposed project has an increased likelihood to impact health disparity and minority health-related research.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01MD004125-02
Application #
8034291
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZMD1-PA (R4))
Program Officer
Alvidrez, Jennifer L
Project Start
2010-03-01
Project End
2013-12-31
Budget Start
2011-01-01
Budget End
2011-12-31
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2011
Total Cost
$383,448
Indirect Cost
Name
Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation
Department
Type
DUNS #
021883350
City
Beltsville
State
MD
Country
United States
Zip Code
20705
Kennedy, Stephen B; Nolen, Sherry; Pan, Zhenfeng et al. (2013) Effectiveness of a brief condom promotion program in reducing risky sexual behaviours among African American men. J Eval Clin Pract 19:408-13