Prevention of HIV/AIDS and STDs in Women Over Fifty
Condition: Hiv; Sexually Transmitted Diseases; Aging
MeSH terms: Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Study type: Interventional
Phase: Phase 2

Summary: 
      In response to the increasing rates of HIV/STD infections among women over the age of 50,
      especially minority women, and in the attempt to reduce HIV/STD risks for over ten million
      older adult American women who are impacted by gray divorce and at risk for unsafe sex, the
      investigators will create, test, and commercialize a novel positive psychology-based
      "SmartWeb" intervention to promote wellbeing, HIV/STD awareness, and safe sex practices among
      culturally-diverse older divorced or separated women who are dating. This large end-user
      market for the proposed HIV/STD risk reduction intervention will greatly facilitate
      commercialization through advertisements, marketing research based on data mining, and in
      collaboration with manufacturers of condoms, and other large companies offering health
      products and services to older women.
    

Detailed description: 
      Older adult women (age 50+) account for almost a third of the U.S. HIV/AIDS population, and
      infection rates among this group are increasing. The overall goal of the proposed Phase II
      application is to develop a culturally-sensitive, gender-specific, and age-appropriate HIV
      prevention intervention for older women, especially African American and Latino women who are
      at disproportionally high risk for HIV/STD infection. The target population is the growing
      number of divorced/separated older women for whom interventions have not been developed and,
      due to cohort and social contextual factors, are likely unaware that they are at risk, and
      more likely than single (never married) women to forgo condom use. Building on Phase I and
      ARRA study results, the Phase II objectives are to create, test, and commercialize a positive
      psychology-based "SmartWeb" intervention to promote wellbeing and safe sex practices among
      culturally diverse older divorced or separated women who are dating or planning on dating.
      Specific Phase II Aims are: 1) Create the SmartWeb intervention; 2) Evaluate its
      effectiveness in a randomized controlled trial (RCT) of divorced/separated women over 50; and
      3) Prepare marketing and commercialization plans for the SmartWeb intervention.

      Consistent with Phase I objectives, i.e., developing content to address Stages 1-3 of the
      M-AARM theoretical model, the proposed Phase II includes new components to address M-AARM
      Stages 4-5. The Phase II is also responsive to Phase I evaluation findings, including the
      desire for mobile access, membership; video interviews with experts in women's health,
      positive aging, HIV/STD prevention in culturally diverse communities, safe sex negotiation
      strategies, and gray divorce; online community, and positive psychology- based self-efficacy
      and affect-boosting emails, as well as expanded versions of Phase I components to reinforce
      stages 1-3 of the M-ARRM theoretical model.

      The investigators are supported in these efforts through partnerships in both Boston, MA and
      Columbia SC, the sites for the randomized controlled trial. Participating partners include
      those providing commercialization support (Global Protection Corp, USC Columbia Incubator, SC
      Launch, Moker CPCA), recruitment and marketing support in Boston (New England Association of
      HIV over 50, Massachusetts Department of Public Health Statewide Consumer Advisory Board on
      HIV/AIDS, Brigham & Women's Hospital Women's Health Center) and in Columbia (South Carolina
      Lieutenant Governor's Office on Aging, South Carolina HIV/AIDS Council, AID Upstate in South
      Carolina, Lowcountry AIDS Services, United Way Association of South Carolina, South Carolina
      Primary Care Association, Columbia Housing Authority in South Carolina, Palmetto AIDS Life
      Support Services), and content and technology development and support (University of South
      Carolina College of Social Work and Department of Computer Science and Engineering, South
      Carolina HIV/AIDS Council)
    

Intervention name(s): safe sex and HIV/STD prevention education via a website; written materials on safe sex
Intervention type(s): Behavioral; Other
Intervention description(s): website providing positive psychology-based advice and education for women over the age of 50 who are divorced. embedded in site is safe sex education.; 2 page written materials on safe sex and HIV/STD prevention education, as well as weekly emails on general women's health topics
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention model: Parallel Assignment
Intervention model description: randomized controlled trial
Masking: None (Open Label)
Primary purpose: Prevention