HIV/AIDS education for parents and guardians: talking with kids about AIDS.

HIV/AIDS education for parents and guardians: talking with kids about AIDS.

ISSUE/PROBLEM: Although children and teens identify parents and guardians as important sources of HIV/AIDS information, adults often express discomfort and concerns about their abilities as youth HIV/AIDS educators. Many parents and guardians never discuss HIV/AIDS with their children. Relatively few HIV/AIDS programs work specifically to enable parents and other significant adults to provide accurate HIV/AIDS information and risk reduction education to children and teens. DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT: Staff coordinators throughout New York State (USA) recruit and train teams of volunteer educators. Using the Talking with Kids about AIDS curriculum developed by Cornell University, volunteer educators provide multi-session workshops to parents and guardians in community settings (workplaces, community centers, schools, support groups, prisons, service clubs, etc.). Key activities involve practicing communication and risk reduction skills, and break down denial by encouraging participants to identify areas of their lives and their children's lives already impacted by HIV/AIDS. Participants initiate discussions on HIV/AIDS with their children between sessions as a "homework" assignment. Resources are available in English, Spanish, and pictorial versions. RESULTS: In the first three years of programming, over 900 volunteer facilitators were trained, and more than 25,600 people participated in "Talking with Kids about AIDS" workshops in New York State. Participants reflect strong demographic diversity: 62% are women, 38% are men, 67% are predominantly of European descent, 23% are African-American, 7% are Hispanic-American, and 2% are Asian-American, Native American, or very recent immigrants to the USA. Preliminary outcome evaluation indicates that workshop participation significantly enhances the likelihood of adults' initiating multiple, wide-ranging HIV/AIDS related discussions with their children. A geographically scattered and relatively small staff (equivalent to four full-time positions) provides basic support to the large pool of volunteers (over 900 individuals). LESSONS LEARNED: Peer-led, community-based HIV workshops capture the interest of and are accessible to a wide range of parents and guardians from both urban and rural areas. Programming that specifically addresses parenting concerns can enhance the quantity and quality of HIV/AIDS related conversations parents and guardians initiate with their children. Interactive, skills-based, culturally adaptable curriculum materials provide effective support for volunteer educators in diverse community settings.