Ft. Lauderdale,
Florida
33301
Purpose:
This is Phase II of a three stage project whose overall goals are to develop viable
community-based HIV prevention interventions and to form and maintain the necessary
community collaborations to support such Adolescent Trials Network (ATN) research
activities.
This phase will describe specific locations within high-risk areas where youth, ages 12-24,
spend time. HIV risk behaviors, social networking patterns and HIV prevalence among youth at
these venues will be assessed by administering anonymous computerized interviews to eligible
and willing youth. This information will be shared with community partners during scheduled
working group meetings.
Study summary:
This is Phase II of a three stage project whose overall goals are to develop viable
community-based HIV prevention interventions and to form and maintain the necessary
community collaborations to support such ATN research activities.
During this phase, each ATN site will gather additional information within high-risk areas
and solicit community partner input to ultimately pinpoint the specific locations where
at-risk youths, ages 12-24, may be recruited for interventions. This will be done by the
following methods:
Venues will be identified by HIV+ youth at the ATN site by participation in an anonymous
computerized interview. Site staff will then perform brief venue interviews (BVIs) at
selected venues to assess the potential yield of youths 12-24 years old. Community partners
will also provide the site staff with information on known high-risk venues. High-risk
venues will further be identified by the results of anonymous computerized interviews and
HIV assays obtained from eligible and willing youth participants at the venues. The
interviews will gather information on HIV risk behaviors, social networking patterns and HIV
prevalence among youths at these venues. This information will be shared with community
partners during scheduled working group meetings.
Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:
Index Subjects:
- Documented HIV-infection
- Acquisition of HIV after age 9 years
- Verbal confirmation of 12-24 years of age
- Verbal report of having engaged in sexual activity (vaginal, anal and/or oral sex)
within the past 12 months
- Ability to understand and willingness to provide informed consent/assent
BVI subjects:
- Youths who appear to be 12-24 years old
HIV Serosurvey subjects at the venues:
- Verbal confirmation of 12-24 years of age
- Verbal report of having engaged in sexual activity (vaginal, anal and/or oral sex)
within the past 12 months
- Ability to understand and willingness to provide informed consent/assent
Exclusion Criteria:
- Visibly distraught and/or emotionally unstable (i.e. depressive mood, exhibiting
manic, suicidal or violent behavior, etc.)
- Visibly intoxicated or under the influence of psychoactive agents
- Clinically presents as acutely ill