Project
Goals and Objectives
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Identify the range, locations,
context, and frequency of high-risk drug use and
sexual activity among older adult residents of senior
housing and shelters in Hartford and Chicago. |
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Identify how differences
in age, gender, ethnicity, language, health status,
drug use, sexual activity, and network characteristics
impact HIV risk in older adult building residents. |
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Determine the prevalence
of HIV among residents of senior housing in the
two cities. |
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Develop a method for
identifying further research needs and assessing
(for appropriateness, feasibility and acceptability)
intervention approaches, formats, messages and outreach
strategies to reduce the risk of exposure to HIV
in older adults and other residents of senior and
age/ability mixed housing. |
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Project
Details
Project implementation is done
in close collaboration with building managers, project
staff and residents. The project team meets with
members of tenants' associations and the general
building population to introduce the study. Recruitment
and interviewing takes place at each site. The research
team spends four to six months in each building,
implementing the project's following components:
direct observation, in-depth interviews, epidemiological
survey and HIV counseling and testing, and health
education presentations based on what residents
request. Before leaving the building, project staff
host a "thank you" reception and an education
session on HIV prevention. Data collected describe
neighborhood and building characteristics related
to the presence of drug and sexual exchanges, individual
drug and sex behavior, and the social structures
and relationships that are potential points for
HIV transmission. Analysis and comparison of the
two sites will be used to develop a building-based
HIV prevention intervention strategy with the residents.
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Project Contact:
Jean
J. Schensul, Ph.D. (PI)
Executive Director
Kim
Radda, M.A., R.N.
(Co-PI)
Project Director
Project Staff:
ICR
Jean J. Schensul, Ph.D., Principal Investigator
Kim Radda, M.A., R.N.,
Co-Principal Investigator/ Project Director
William Dish, Ph.D.,
Senior Research Analyst
Evelyn Baez, B.A.
Project Coordinator
Michelle So, B.A.,
Data Manager
Jeanne Ota, B.A.,
Data Manager
Gus Lopez, H.S.,
Community Researcher
NCAAA
Carmen Reyes, M.S.M.,
Co-Principal Investigator
UIC
Judith Levy, Ph.D.,
Site Principal Investigator
Elijah Ward, Ph.D., Ethnographer
Wayne Smith McKenzie, M.Ed., M.P.H.,
Research Specialist
Milton Armston, M.A.
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