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The Mpowerment Project: Community‐Building with Young Gay and Bisexual Men to Prevent HIV
Author(s) -
Hays Robert B.,
Rebchook Gregory M.,
Kegeles Susan M.
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
american journal of community psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.113
H-Index - 112
eISSN - 1573-2770
pISSN - 0091-0562
DOI - 10.1023/a:1023966905973
Subject(s) - outreach , empowerment , psychology , gender studies , intervention (counseling) , community based participatory research , condom , sociology , gerontology , human immunodeficiency virus (hiv) , medicine , political science , participatory action research , family medicine , syphilis , psychiatry , anthropology , law
The Mpowerment Project is a community‐level HIV prevention intervention for young gay and bisexual men ages 18–27. The program seeks to build a strong, supportive young gay and bisexual men's community where young gay and bisexual men nurture and protect each other, particularly with regard to HIV prevention. The program's theoretical framework draws from the areas of diffusion of innovations, community organizing, peer influence, and personal empowerment. The Mpowerment Project promotes a norm for safer sex through a variety of social, outreach and small group activities. The project is run by a “Core Group” of 12–15 young gay and bisexual men who, with volunteers, design and carry out all project activities. Implemented in 4 communities (Eugene, OR; Santa Barbara, CA; Albuquerque, NM; Austin, TX), the Mpowerment Project has proven to be effective in reducing high risk sex. This paper discusses the development and implementation of the program and various challenges encountered.