V.I.P.: Vaccinate for Influenza Prevention

Research Method: Intervention Research
Principal Investigators: Jean J. Schensul, Ph.D.; George Kuchel, M.D., FRCP

Grant: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Partners:  The Center on Aging at the University of Connecticut Health Center (UCHC) (Grantee); Hartford Housing Authority (HHA); VNA Health Care, Inc. (VNA); the North Central Area Agency on Aging (NCAAA); the Adult Immunization Program of the State of Connecticut Department of Public Health.

Dates of Study: 2005-2006

Project Summary

The purpose of this intervention study V.I.P.: Vaccinate for Influenza Prevention is to improve influenza vaccination rates among older, low-income, and minority adults who live independently in senior housing facilities in Hartford, CT. Nationally, this group has the highest risk for influenza, yet the lowest vaccination rates. The study utilizes an empowerment model to build a residential public health committee that is trained in the benefits of flu vaccine. Facilitated by project staff, the committee will receive interactive flu education, conduct a two-month long flu campaign, and organize flu vaccination clinics. A pre-post evaluation in one intervention and one matched comparison building will compare changes in knowledge, attitudes and rates of vaccine uptake among building residents.

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Vaccinate for Influenza Prevention: A Pilot Study of Influenza Vaccine Acceptability Among Residents of Senior Housing

Research Method: Intervention Research

Principal Investigator: Jean J. Schensul, Ph.D. (PI), Janet McElhaney, M.D. (Co-PI)

Grant: Core funding, ICR

Partners: University of Connecticut Health Center’s Center for Immunotherapy of Cancer and Infectious Diseases (UCHC-CICID), Hartford Housing Authority (HHA), VNA Health Care Inc. of Greater Hartford (VNA), North Central Area Agency on Aging (NCAAA)

Dates of Study: December 2004 – February 2005

Project Summary

The purpose of Project V.I.P.: Vaccinate for Influenza Prevention was to develop materials and approaches for an intervention study designed to increase flu vaccination rates among low-income, ethnically diverse older adults living independently in senior housing in Hartford, CT. The study assessed a theory-driven, peer-led intervention to identify and remove barriers to influenza vaccination and evaluated the utility of a pre-post survey. With the assistance of ICR staff a committee of residents formed. Through an interactive training process, committee members learned about influenza and the advantages of vaccination and could then act as peer educators in their buildings. Residents and project staff worked together to coordinate 3 influenza vaccine clinics and a flu vaccine promotion campaign. ICR interviewers completed surveys with 54 residents on their knowledge, attitudes and beliefs about influenza and influenza vaccination, and their previous vaccination practices. The project collected formative data for a subsequent 1-year project also called VIP: Vaccinate for Influenza Prevention.

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Recipes for Life
Research Method: Intervention Research
Project Director: Kim Radda, M.A., R.N.
Grant: ICR funded
Partners: North Central Area Agency on Aging, Hartford Housing Authority
Dates of Study: 2002-2004
"Recipes for Life" explored the ways in which older adults successfully cope with the aging process. Through an arts-based intervention, older adults shared life experiences and thoughts on successful aging. A professional photographer introduced residents to the idea of photographing images and using these images to tell others about the experiences that shaped their lives, and created a professional portrait for exhibit for them. As they exchanged family food recipes, life stories, and successful aging strategies, the project gave residents an outlet for creativity and social interaction across ethnic, age and gender lines.

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HIV Prevention in High-Risk Drug Use Sites: Project RAP
Research Method: Intervention Research
Principal Investigators: Margaret R. Weeks, Ph.D. (PI),
Jean J. Schensul, Ph.D. (Co-PI)
Grant: National Institute on Drug Abuse (1-R01-DA13356)
Partners: Hispanic Health Council
Dates of Study: 2001-2005
The Risk Avoidance Partnership (RAP) project is a cutting-edge, four-year study measuring HIV prevention adoption by individual drug users in Hartford, CT through the conduct, documentation and evaluation of an intervention model that involves active drug users as public health advocates in the diffusion of risk reduction messages and products through peer networks and drug-use settings.
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Project PACE: Preventing AIDS through Collaborative Efforts
Research Method: Intervention Research
Principal Investigators: Serafin Mendez, Ph.D., LCS (PI), Merrill Singer, Ph.D., HHC (Co-PI), Margaret R. Weeks, Ph.D. ICR (Co-PI)
Grant: U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, primary grantee - Latinos Contra SIDA
Partners: Latinos/as Contra SIDA (LCS), Hispanic Health Council (HHC), Institute for Community Research (ICR)
Dates of Study: 2000-2004
Project PACE is a collaboration between Latinos/as Contra SIDA, the Hispanic Health Council and the Institute for Community Research, with LCS as the primary grantee. The project aims to lower drug-related and sex-related HIV risk among inner-city Latino and African American youth, women and illicit drug users in Hartford, CT. The project uses group level prevention education and support, peer educators, individual prevention case management and street outreach to achieve project goals.
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CONNECT 2000: Community-Based Substance Abuse and HIV/AIDS Outreach Program
Research Method: Intervention Research
Project Director: Merrill Singer, Ph.D. (HHC)
Grant: Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT), Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
Partners: Hispanic Health Council, AIDS Project Hartford, Institute for Community Research, Latinos/as Contra SIDA, Urban League of Greater Hartford
Dates of Study: 1999-2002
This three-year project aims to bridge HIV/AIDS prevention education with substance abuse treatment and health services provision. The project - a collaboration between five agencies in Hartford, CT - is working with high risk, drug-using populations of men and women in the city.
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Comprehensive Elementary School AIDS Education
Research Method: Intervention Research
Principal Investigators: David J. Schonfeld, M.D., Yale University (PI), Jean J. Schensul, Ph.D. (Co-PI), Mary Schwab-Stone, M.D., Yale University (Co-PI)
Grant: Maternal and Child Health Bureau; The William T. Grant Foundation
Partners: Yale University School of Medicine, Yale University Child Study Center
Dates of Study: 1998-2003
The Comprehensive Elementary School AIDS Education project is testing the effectiveness of a comprehensive AIDS education curriculum in public elementary and middle schools in New Haven, CT. Based upon theories of social cognition and influence, the curriculum includes problem-solving and communication skills development, and peer-education. The project is centered at the Yale University School of Medicine; ICR staff are coordinating the process evaluation.
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The Community Outreach Prevention Effort II: Project COPE II
Research Method: Basic Research/Intervention Research
Principal Investigators: Merrill Singer, Ph.D., HHC (PI)
Margaret R. Weeks, Ph.D. (Co-PI)
Grant: National Institute on Drug Abuse (#U01 DA07284)
Partners: Hispanic Health Council (grantee), The Hartford Dispensary, the Urban League of Greater Hartford, Latinos/as Contra SIDA, The Hartford Health Department
Dates of Study: 1992-1997
Project COPE II was a five-year HIV prevention study that built upon lessons learned in Project COPE I. The study targeted active, out-of-treatment injection drug and crack cocaine users in Hartford, CT, monitoring their drug use, HIV risks, and prevalence of HIV infection. The study also tested the comparative efficacy of culturally-targeted AIDS education against a standard intervention program. As part of the national, multi-site Cooperative Agreement for AIDS Community-based Outreach/Intervention Program, the project was a conducted by the six-organization Community Alliance for AIDS Prevention (CAAP), with the Hispanic Health Council as the lead grantee.
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Project COPE: Preventing AIDS Among Injection Drug Users and their Sex Partners
Research Method: Basic Research and Intervention Research
Principal Investigators: Jean J. Schensul, Ph.D. (PI), Merrill Singer, Ph.D. (PI)
Grant: National Institute on Drug Abuse (#R18-DA05750)
Partners: Hispanic Health Council (HHC), The Urban League of Greater Hartford, Latinos/as Contra SIDA, The Hartford Health Dispensary, Hartford Health Department
Dates of Study: 1988-1992
This four-year study examined drug use patterns and AIDS risk behaviors among injection drug users and their sex partners in Hartford, CT, and evaluated the effectiveness of culturally-based prevention interventions against a standard intervention program. The study was part of the National AIDS Demonstration Research project, and one of 29 similar studies across the nation. It brought together five Hartford organizations into a community-based consortium of researchers and services providers that collaborated in future studies.
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