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Biomedical subjects

Gary Uhl

Publications and source records attributed to Gary Uhl.

7 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2004

Involving the community in HIV prevention program evaluation.

This article describes the challenges and benefits of involving the community in evaluating an HIV prevention intervention for African American women. The intervention, Women's Initiative for Sexual Health, was evaluated using a randomized controlled trial. The intervention and the evaluation involved the community in which the intervention was delivered. To solicit criticism and suggestions for the evaluation, the research team conducted a focus group within each of three collaborating community-based organizations. Our goal was to increase the relevance and appropriateness of the evaluation by showing respect for program participants and consequently for cultures other than our own. We recommend that other researchers involve the community in program evaluation.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Analysis of a database of materials for HIV prevention program evaluation.

Program evaluation technology transfer is the transfer of information on program evaluation from research to practitioners. There have been anecdotal reports of a lack of technology transfer materials related to HIV prevention program evaluation, especially materials usable by persons without extensive training in evaluation. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reviewed available program evaluation materials relevant to HIV prevention and developed a database of those materials. Materials were classified according to appropriate audience, level of evaluation expertise required, steps in the evaluation process addressed, and other criteria. The database was queried to determine the number of materials available for various combinations of search criteria. These queries revealed that for certain audiences and steps in the evaluation process there are few materials, especially usable by individuals without evaluation experience. The conclusion is that for certain areas of program evaluation, and for certain audiences, more evaluation technology transfer materials are needed.

Databases, Factual↗
PubMed2003

Technical assistance for the evaluation of community-based HIV prevention programs.

Funding agencies are using technical assistance (TA) to strengthen the evaluation capacity of community-based organizations (CBOs) engaged in HIV prevention efforts. The authors used qualitative methods to identify the types of evaluation TA needed by CBOs, to understand CBOs' past experiences with evaluation TA, and to elicit ideas for optimal delivery of evaluation TA. Assistance in developing evaluation tools and data analysis were the most commonly cited needs. Preferred TA providers were characterized as having practical expertise, accessibility, cultural competence, communication skills, and collaboration skills. Critical elements of an ideal TA system were adequate funding, program-specific TA, and extensive interaction between TA providers and CBO staff. Study data were used to generate a set of recommendations for health educators and others who may provide CBOs with TA for evaluating prevention programs.

Community Health Services↗
PubMed2002

Evaluation barriers and facilitators among community-based HIV prevention programs.

Funding agencies are using technical assistance to promote evaluation of their community-based HIV prevention programs. Using qualitative methods, we identified 11 factors that hinder and facilitate evaluation within community-based organizations (CBOs): staff perceptions, availability of funding, data collection, data validity, data utility, technical assistance, effects on services, effects on funding, staff skills, tools and technology, and expectations of the funding agency. Using these factors, we developed eight strategies to promote CBO evaluation. These strategies go beyond the traditional role of technical assistance and address the broader context within which CBOs evaluate their programs. Funding agencies and technical assistance providers can use these strategies to enhance CBO evaluation, which may result in more and better quality evaluations and, ultimately, improvements in the effectiveness of HIV prevention services.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗
PubMed2002

The value of engaging stakeholders in planning and implementing evaluations.

Stakeholder participation in evaluation has surfaced as a major factor contributing to the effectiveness of HIV prevention programs. In recognition of the multiple benefits, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), has used a framework to involve stakeholders in the evaluation of its programs. This article describes the framework used by the CDC and provides examples of four studies that involved various stakeholders from health departments, community-based organizations, and community planning groups to national and regional organizations in designing and implementing evaluations that yielded results useful for program improvement. The participatory process involved stakeholders in each of the four phases of the framework: evaluation planning, implementation, development of action plans, and dissemination. Lessons learned include the importance of having a facilitator to coordinate activities and ongoing communication with those involved in the evaluation. Stakeholders shared that using the evaluation results for action planning was beneficial for improving their programs. Despite many challenges faced in the stakeholder evaluation process, most stakeholders agreed that many benefits grew out of the multiple perspectives presented and understanding of the service agencies.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S.↗
PubMed2002

Evaluation of a sexual health approach to prevent HIV among low income, urban, primarily African American women: results of a randomized controlled trial.

This randomized controlled trial evaluated an innovative culturally specific sexual health intervention-targeting, but not limited to, low-income African American women-in which HIV and sexually transmitted disease prevention strategies were combined with comprehensive sexuality education. The intervention was delivered and evaluated in community-based settings to 218 participants randomly assigned to treatment or a no-treatment control group. Participants were interviewed at pretest and 3 and 9 months after the intervention to assess changes in both sexuality and HIV risk variables. The intervention was effective in improving sexual anatomy knowledge at both 3- and 9-month follow-up. For a subset of women engaging in unprotected sex at pretest, the intervention group reported an increase in positive attitudes toward the female condom at 9-month follow-up. Reasons for the weak treatment effect are discussed in the context of challenges inherent in conducting community-based research with high-risk populations and sensitive topics. Recommendations are provided for improving sample attrition, statistical power, and response bias and for altering the intervention so as to strengthen its impact.

Adolescent↗