Designing the Ideal AIDS Prevention Program for African-American Men

African-American men who have sex with men continue to be at risk for AIDS. AIDS prevention programs thus must be tailored to their needs and expectations. Seventeen African-American men participated in focus groups that elicited information about the needs of people at risk and the characteristics of an ideal AIDS prevention program. The need reported was education regarding homophobia and HIV risk factors. The ideal AIDS prevention program would meet this need through its location, content, self-esteem building component, staff, and structure. The location should be in a non-homophobic, non-AIDS-phobic, and non-racist atmosphere. The program would incorporate content on alternative treatments and include support groups and familial involvement. Self-esteem building would focus on enhancing acceptance of one's sexual and racial identity. Program developers must take into consideration the needs /expectations of target populations in the development of strategies to combat HIV infection.