This subproject is one of many research subprojects utilizing the resources provided by a Center grant funded by NIH/NCRR. The subproject and investigator (PI) may have received primary funding from another NIH source, and thus could be represented in other CRISP entries. The institution listed is for the Center, which is not necessarily the institution for the investigator. The goal of this pilot study is to modify HIV risk behavior among early adolescents in Puerto Rico.
The specific aims of this study are: (1) develop an adolescent and parent support pilot intervention to modify HIV risk behavior among early adolescents in Puerto Rico; (2) implement a pilot intervention based in an adolescent and parent support model to modify HIV risk behavior among early adolescents in Puerto Rico; and (3) evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention on mediating factors (peer pressure, self-esteem, parent support, perceived invulnerability, HIV/AIDS knowledge and attitudes, and sensation seeking) on HIV/AIDS risk behaviors (alcohol use, drug use and sexual activity).This is a randomized controlled trial with one control group and the sample size will be 224. These students will be follow-up by three years. The setting of the study will be four junior schools: two publics and two privates. Baseline and follow up self administered questionnaires will be administered to study group (intervention and comparison group). Participants will fill assent and inform consents. The outcome HIV risk behavior variables will be: drug use and sexual activity. Independent variables are sociodemographic factors (age, gender, family etc.) and mediating factors (peer pressure, self-esteem, parent support, perceived invulnerability, HIV/AIDS knowledge and attitudes and sensation seeking). Univariate analysis will be performed to assess frequencies, percents, central trend measures (mean, median and/or mode) and dispersion measures (range, standard). Bivariate analysis will be performed to assess differences in proportions (Chi-square, Fisher Exact test) and differences in mean (t-test for independent samples) and/or median (Mann-Whitney test). Paired t-test will be performed to evaluated changes in measures of continuous variable pre and post intervention. To assess differences in incidence of HIV risk behaviors we will calculate Relative Risk (RR), confidence intervals for RR. A logistic regression will be performed to evaluate the predictor variables of the HIV risk behaviors, controlled by possible confound variables.We are proposing a pilot study to evaluate the following hypothesis: an intervention based on a parent and adolescent supportive model will modify the HIV risk behavior among early adolescents. The interventions will be directed by the Social Learning Theory developed by Albert Bandura in 1977. The study will be divided into three phases: pre-implementation, implementation and evaluation.The intervention program will consist of 8 two hour sessions that include group discussions, role-plays, games, brainstorming, experiential exercises, reflections, and activities focusing on inquiry learning, problem solving and skills development related to peer pressure, self-esteem and sensation seeking. The intervention sections will be developed to work with the mediating variables. The principal advantages of this pilot study are: (1) the creation of culturally appropriate instruments and HIV risks reduction intervention; and (2) the intervention design in this study could be adapted, validated and implemented in other
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