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Project AIM

An Evidence-Based Practice

Description

Project AIM is a group-level intervention designed to reduce HIV risk behaviors among adolescents aged 11 to 14. The AIM (Adult Identity Mentoring) intervention is divided into 10 or 12 sessions and is based in the Theory of Selves. Methodology based in this theory asks participants to envision a positive future and get perspective on how current risk behaviors can negatively impact the future.

The sessions consist of small group discussions and role-play scenarios. These activities are designed to enable adolescents to explore their personal interests and future aspirations. More specifically, one session asks participants to take a career interest inventory and assists participants in developing business cards and resumes. Project AIM facilitators are trained over the course of 3-days and are selected based on their degree of experience with adolescents and their level of cultural competence so that they can best guide adolescents through the development of self-promotion skills and in creating a positive self-identity.

Goal / Mission

To reduce HIV risk behaviors among adolescents aged 11 to 14.

Impact

This program effectively modified sexual risk among adolescents aged 11 to 14 by focusing students on positive future selves.

Results / Accomplishments

To evaluate the effectiveness of Project AIM, researchers studied African-American 7th graders in 2004 and collected at baseline and again 19-weeks and one-year post-intervention. At 19-weeks, students in the intervention group were significantly less likely to report that they had any sexual intentions than students in the control group (p<0.04). At the one-year follow-up, there was no longer a significant difference in sexual intentions, although the trend remained in the same direction with only 9% of the intervention group reporting sexual intentions, compared to 18% of the control group. However, there was a significant gender effect for actual sexual activity, with fewer males in the intervention group reporting any sexual activity (p<0.05).

About this Promising Practice

Organization(s)
Diffusion of Effective Behavioral Interventions (DEBI)
Primary Contact
Leslie F. Clark, PhD.
121 Mortimer Jordan Hall
1530 3rd Ave. S.
Birmingham, AL 35294-0022
(205) 934-6020
lfclark@chla.edu
http://www.chla.org/project-aim
Topics
Health / Adolescent Health
Health / Immunizations & Infectious Diseases
Organization(s)
Diffusion of Effective Behavioral Interventions (DEBI)
Source
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Date of publication
2005
Date of implementation
2004
For more details
http://www.chla.org/project-aim
http://www.jahonline.org/article/S1054-139X(05)001...
Target Audience
Teens, Racial/Ethnic Minorities

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  3. CDC COMMUNITY GUIDE: Prevention of HIV/AIDS, other STIs and Pregnancy: Group-Based Comprehensive Risk Reduction Interventions for Adolescents

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Related Content for: Project AIM

An Evidence-Based Practice meets the following HCI criteria:

  1. The program description includes at a minimum: the sponsoring organization, program goals, program implementation steps, and outcomes that have demonstrated program success in achieving the program goal in one or more localities.
  2. The results from an evaluation of the program include quantitative measures showing improvement in the outcome(s) of interest after the implementation of the program (i.e. increase in smoking cessation, not just the delivery of a smoking cessation program). The outcome measure(s) is/are compared at relevant time periods before and after the intervention or program implementation. Alternatively, the evaluation study compares the outcome(s) between an intervention group and an appropriate control group.
  3. The study is of peer-review quality and presents numbers in a scientific manner; measurements of precision and reliability are included (e.g. confidence intervals, standard errors), results from statistical tests show a significant difference or change in the outcome measure(s), and relevant point estimates and p-values are presented. Note: if the results from an evaluation of a program are presented in a scientific manner and the outcome measure is improved compared to the baseline measurement or the control group but the difference is not statistically significant, the practice is classified as effective and not evidence-based.
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