Evaluation of an evidence-based intervention implemented with African-American women to prevent substance abuse, strengthen relationship skills and reduce risk for HIV/AIDS

ABSTRACT

African-American females in the U.S. are disproportionately affected by HIV/AIDS, and a large majority of new infections in this population are attributed to heterosexual contact. Risk factors include substance abuse, lack of knowledge about male partners’ possible HIV infection risk, incarceration, disruptions of social networks, and intimate partner violence. This study assessed the effects of a comprehensive, evidence-based prevention intervention, Creating Lasting Family Connections (CLFC) that was implemented with sensitivity to African-American females, using a quasi-experimental design. The CLFC program was implemented with 175 women and their results were compared to a convenience sample of 44 women who were similar on background characteristics. Results showed significant (p < .05, two-tailed) increases in the proportion of individuals getting HIV tested and getting the results from these tests, a larger decrease in intimate partner abuse within the past three months, and larger increases in three relationship skills (emotional expression, interpersonal skills, and relationship satisfaction) relative to the comparison group.

KEYWORDS:

• HIV/AIDS
• African-American females
• substance abuse prevention
• relationship skills
• HIV testing

Acknowledgements

The views expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of SAMHSA or CSAP.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

Preparation of his article was supported in part through a grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Center for Substance Abuse Prevention (CSAP) [grant number SP016448].