HIV prevention programs aimed at parents of at-risk children feasible

Programs designed for parents to help their children avoid HIV risk are feasible, despite the resource constraints faced by participants and the time required for attendance, results of a new study reported.

The Parents Matter! Program, a new program developed and implemented by and for black community members, resonated with the needs and experiences of parents of 9- to 12-year-olds in high HIV-risk communities, according to a study presented recently at the 2009 National HIV Prevention Conference in Atlanta.

The program’s high retention rates, participant satisfaction, usefulness, and relevancy suggest it is feasible to provide such programming. Many parents are motivated to participate in this multisession parenting program that gives them tools to help their children avoid HIV risk, the study researchers wrote.

Demographic data collected at the time of enrollment into the program showed that the 378 parents had time and resource constraints. Forty-two percent of parents had a total monthly household income of less than $1,000; the median household size was four. In addition, 51% of parents worked full-time and 11% worked part-time.

Despite time and money constraints, of the 378 parents eligible for PMP participation, 90% attended one or more intervention sessions. Of the 339 participating in the intervention, 86% attended four or more sessions and 67% attended all five sessions. A postintervention assessment revealed that 97% of participants had a “very positive” overall experience in the program, and 94% of parents indicated they found the program information and communication skills “very important.” At one year postintervention follow-up, 100% of participants had used the information or skills learned in the program with their child, and 97% of participants had shared program information with their friends.

Miller KS. C03-4.