Project AIM
An Evidence-Based Practice
Description
Project AIM is a group-level intervention designed to reduce HIV risk behaviors among adolescents aged 11 to 14. The AIM (Adult Identity Mentoring) intervention is divided into 10 or 12 sessions and is based in the Theory of Selves. Methodology based in this theory asks participants to envision a positive future and get perspective on how current risk behaviors can negatively impact the future.
The sessions consist of small group discussions and role-play scenarios. These activities are designed to enable adolescents to explore their personal interests and future aspirations. More specifically, one session asks participants to take a career interest inventory and assists participants in developing business cards and resumes. Project AIM facilitators are trained over the course of 3-days and are selected based on their degree of experience with adolescents and their level of cultural competence so that they can best guide adolescents through the development of self-promotion skills and in creating a positive self-identity.
The sessions consist of small group discussions and role-play scenarios. These activities are designed to enable adolescents to explore their personal interests and future aspirations. More specifically, one session asks participants to take a career interest inventory and assists participants in developing business cards and resumes. Project AIM facilitators are trained over the course of 3-days and are selected based on their degree of experience with adolescents and their level of cultural competence so that they can best guide adolescents through the development of self-promotion skills and in creating a positive self-identity.
Goal / Mission
To reduce HIV risk behaviors among adolescents aged 11 to 14.
Impact
This program effectively modified sexual risk among adolescents aged 11 to 14 by focusing students on positive future selves.
Results / Accomplishments
To evaluate the effectiveness of Project AIM, researchers studied African-American 7th graders in 2004 and collected at baseline and again 19-weeks and one-year post-intervention. At 19-weeks, students in the intervention group were significantly less likely to report that they had any sexual intentions than students in the control group (p<0.04). At the one-year follow-up, there was no longer a significant difference in sexual intentions, although the trend remained in the same direction with only 9% of the intervention group reporting sexual intentions, compared to 18% of the control group. However, there was a significant gender effect for actual sexual activity, with fewer males in the intervention group reporting any sexual activity (p<0.05).
About this Promising Practice
Organization(s)
Diffusion of Effective Behavioral Interventions (DEBI)
Primary Contact
Leslie F. Clark, PhD.
121 Mortimer Jordan Hall
1530 3rd Ave. S.
Birmingham, AL 35294-0022
(205) 934-6020
lfclark@chla.edu
http://www.chla.org/project-aim
121 Mortimer Jordan Hall
1530 3rd Ave. S.
Birmingham, AL 35294-0022
(205) 934-6020
lfclark@chla.edu
http://www.chla.org/project-aim
Topics
Health / Adolescent Health
Health / Immunizations & Infectious Diseases
Health / Immunizations & Infectious Diseases
Organization(s)
Diffusion of Effective Behavioral Interventions (DEBI)
Source
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Date of publication
2005
Date of implementation
2004
For more details
Target Audience
Teens, Racial/Ethnic Minorities