Obesity, Fitness & Wellness Week
May 29, 2010

HIV/AIDS;
New HIV/AIDS data have been reported by scientists at American
University of Armenia, College of Health Sciences

New research, ‘A randomized controlled trial of an HIV prevention
intervention for street-based female sex workers in Yerevan, Armenia:
preliminary evidence of efficacy,’ is the subject of a report.
According to a study from Yerevan, Armenia, “This study evaluated the
efficacy of an HIV intervention among female sex workers (FSWs)
randomized to an intervention or wait-list control. FSWs (N=120)
completed baseline, 3-and 6-month assessments.”

“A health educator implemented 2-hour intervention emphasized
gender-empowerment, self-efficacy to persuade clients to use condoms,
condom application skills, and eroticizing safer sex. Over the 6-month
follow-up, FSWs in the intervention reported more consistent condom
use with clients (p=.004) and were more likely to apply condoms on
clients (p=.0001). Intervention effects were observed for other
psychosocial mediators of safer sex,” wrote K. Markosyan and
colleagues, American University of Armenia, College of Health Sciences
(see also HIV/AIDS).

The researchers concluded: “Brief, gender and culturally congruent
interventions can enhance HIV-preventive behaviors among FSWs.”

Markosyan and colleagues published the results of their research in
Aids and Behavior (A randomized controlled trial of an HIV prevention
intervention for street-based female sex workers in Yerevan, Armenia:
preliminary evidence of efficacy. Aids and Behavior,
2010;14(3):530-7).

For additional information, contact K. Markosyan, American University
of Armenia, College of Health Sciences, Yerevan, Armenia.

The publisher of the journal Aids and Behavior can be contacted at:
Springer, 233 Spring Street, New York, NY 10013, USA.

From: A. Papazian