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The empowerment of women: A key to HIV prevention
Author(s) -
Levine Oneida H.,
Britton Paula J.,
James Tammy C.,
Jackson Anita P.,
Hobfoll Stevan E.,
Lavin Justin P.
Publication year - 1993
Publication title -
journal of community psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.585
H-Index - 86
eISSN - 1520-6629
pISSN - 0090-4392
DOI - 10.1002/1520-6629(199310)21:4<320::aid-jcop2290210408>3.0.co;2-6
Subject(s) - group cohesiveness , empowerment , human immunodeficiency virus (hiv) , psychology , intervention (counseling) , social psychology , nursing , medicine , family medicine , political science , law , psychiatry
We discuss the process underlying the success of an HIV‐prevention project for young, inner‐city women. The intervention was based on the concepts of empowerment and culturally sensitive skill building. Four critical points relevant to the translation of HIV prevention knowledge into behavioral change among the sample are examined: (1) integrating the important issues of the participants' lives into the HIV prevention program, (2) utilizing a group format to encourage cohesiveness and support, (3) engaging group facilitators to promote mutuality and equality, and (4) promoting ongoing, authentic relationships among the participants and staff members. Points are illustrated with vignettes reconstructed from the group facilitators' experiences with the participants.