Black College Women's Interpersonal Communication in Response to a Sexual Health Intervention: A Mixed Methods Study.

We investigated interpersonal communication generated from a successful sexual health intervention for Black college women attending a Historically Black College/University (HBCU). Guided by the integrative model of behavioral prediction and the theory of gender and power, the intervention combined point-of-access health messages with condom distribution via condom dispensers. Using a mixed-methods approach, we examined communication partners, content, mode, valence, and perceived impact. Data were gathered from surveys (N = 105) and interviews (n = 10) with young adult women at an HBCU campus, conducted three months after the intervention. The findings revealed that 43% of women engaged in interpersonal communication and 21% engaged in online interactions about the dispensers. Friends were the most common conversation partners, and the conversations were mainly about condoms and the dispensers themselves. In general, the discussions were positive, showing support for the dispensers. Regression analyses revealed positive, significant associations between interpersonal communication and two key outcomes: condom acceptability and condom intentions. Overall, this study adds to research linking health communication interventions to interpersonal communication and subsequent attitudes and beliefs. Health communication interventions should actively encourage young Black women to share health-promoting information within their social networks to extend both the reach and impact of those interventions.

"Be Straight Up and So Will He": Evaluation of a Novel HIV Prevention Condom Distribution and Health Communication Intervention Targeting Young African American Females.

This study evaluated a novel 3-month campus-based HIV prevention condom distribution and health communication intervention for African American females attending a historically Black college in North Carolina. The theoretical framework for study incorporated the integrative model of behavioral prediction and the theory of gender and power. The intervention provided free condoms via condom dispensers with point-of-access messaging on the dispensers. We assessed 195 individuals before and 118 three months after the intervention. Almost 90% of participants were exposed to the intervention. Forty-four percent used the dispensers, 70% of whom reported using the condoms for sexual intercourse. Perceptions of condom availability and accessibility increased significantly after the intervention. In a multiple regression analysis controlling for covariates, dispenser use was significantly associated with greater condom use. These findings show the promise of a low-cost, broad-reach HIV/STI prevention intervention for young African American women.