Document 2809
 DOCN  M94A2809
 TI    The WHEEL Project: assessing a community-based model for preventing
       HIV/AIDS among women.
 DT    9412
 AU    Wild J; Young P; Rosenshine N; Klein H; NOVA Research, Bethesda, MD.
 SO    Int Conf AIDS. 1994 Aug 7-12;10(1):22 (abstract no. 062D). Unique
       Identifier : AIDSLINE ICA10/94369766
 AB    OBJECTIVES: This presentation will offer a description of the assessment
       and evaluation methods and a statistical portrait of the 2,794 women
       recruited for the WHEEL (Women Helping to Empower and Enhance Lives)
       Project and analysis of follow-up data on 1,953. The WHEEL Project
       focused on the HIV/AIDS-related risk behaviors of female sexual partners
       of injection drug users (IDUs) across cultures at five sites: Boston,
       MA; Juarez, MX: Los Angeles, CA; San Diego, CA; and San Juan, PR.
       METHODS: The project compared the effectiveness of group and individual
       interventions and documented the implementation of a women-focused
       model. Women were interviewed at baseline and 6 months later on
       demographic information, history of physical and sexual abuse, drug use
       patterns, sexual behavior, and perceptions about their sexual partners.
       Individual interventions featured needs assessment, risk assessment, and
       HIV antibody test counseling. Group interventions offered women a choice
       of relevant peer education format topics. RESULTS: Of WHEEL Project
       respondents, 76.6% were in their 20s or 30s; 89.9% of the women were
       Hispanic or Black; 50% reported completing high school. About 50%
       reported using alcohol and about 30% reported using one or more illegal
       drugs in the 30 days prior to interview. 40% reported having an IDU
       sexual partner in the 30 days prior to interview and 75.9% reported no
       use of condoms in the last 30 days. Nearly one-sixth of all women
       reported being victims of abuse during childhood, adolescence and
       adulthood. Significant findings included: decrease in total number of
       days women reported using drugs of all kinds; an increase in HIV/AIDS
       knowledge; an increase in protected sexual behavior; and an increase in
       comfort discussing condom use with sexual partners. DISCUSSION AND
       CONCLUSIONS: The portrait of this population of at-risk women enables
       researchers to understand some of the factors relevant to women's
       HIV/AIDS risk behaviors. Research assessment procedures and results are
       relevant to service providers seeking to design appropriate
       interventions for women-focused initiatives.
 DE    Adult  California  Condoms/UTILIZATION  Demography  Educational Status
       Ethnic Groups  Female  Health Education/*METHODS  Human  HIV
       Infections/*PREVENTION & CONTROL/TRANSMISSION  Male  Mexico  Puerto Rico
       Risk-Taking  Sex Behavior  Substance Abuse, Intravenous/COMPLICATIONS
       MEETING ABSTRACT

       SOURCE: National Library of Medicine.  NOTICE: This material may be
       protected by Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.Code).