Authors: Weiss, Josie A.; Dwonch-Schoen, Kathy; Howard-Barr, Elissa M.; Panella, Michael P.

Source: Social Work, Volume 55, Number 1, January 2010 , pp. 19-26(8)

Publisher: Oxford University Press

Abstract:

The well-being of a community is only as good as the well-being of the individuals who reside in the community. A group of citizens, concerned about the welfare of their community, recognized the high rates of HIV/AIDS and teenage pregnancy in their south Florida county and decided to take action. Supported by community leaders and using available resources within the county, this HIV/AIDS committee began a community-based participatory action project. Following a phone survey of over 1,000 residents, the committee determined that county residents were ready for change as well. Committee members developed and distributed a DVD to educate county residents about the importance of HIV testing and prevention. To reach the youths of their county, the committee members worked to change the high school curriculum to include more comprehensive sex education for students. The purpose of this article is to describe a community-based participatory action project to decrease the spread of HIV/AIDS and to discuss important lessons learned in the process.

Keywords: COMMUNITY ACTION; HIV/AIDS; PARTICIPATORY RESEARCH; SEX EDUCATION

Document Type: Research article

Publication date: 2010-01-01

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• Social Work is the premiere journal of the social work profession. Widely read by practitioners, faculty, and students, it is the official journal of NASW and is provided to all members as a membership benefit. Social Work is dedicated to improving practice and advancing knowledge in social work and social welfare. Its articles yield new insights into established practices, evaluate new techniques and research, examine current social problems, and bring serious critical analysis to bear on problems in the profession. Major emphasis is placed on social policy and the solutions to serious human problems.
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