Biomedical subjects

Susan M Blake

Publications and source records attributed to Susan M Blake.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2005

HIV prevention community planning: challenges and opportunities for data-informed decision-making.

The use of data in decision-making by the Massachusetts Prevention Planning Group (MPPG) was assessed using multiple methods: in-depth interviews, member surveys, directed observations, and archival review. Three factors known to influence group decision-making were of interest: (1) member characteristics, (2) group structure, and (3) data inputs. Membership characteristics were not related to reliance on data. However, group structure factors and data inputs were directly related to reliance on data. Most members accepted an advisory role and felt participation was worthwhile. About half were dissatisfied with decision-making processes, citing member conflicts and distrust. Incompleteness of data, inadequate presentation quality, and lengthy intervals between presentations and actual decision-making were identified as deficits. Although most members reported skills with HIV- and intervention-related data, most also reported deficiencies in interpreting evaluation and cost-effectiveness studies. Member trust and use of data in decision-making could be improved by clarifying decision-making structures and processes, assuring high-quality data presentations, and supporting or training members to better interpret and use data.

Committee Membership↗

PubMed2005

Bridging data and decision making: development of techniques for improving the HIV prevention community planning process.

Assessments of community planning in Massachusetts and Texas were used to develop tools for increasing the use of data by HIV prevention community planning groups (CPGs) and prevention providers while also increasing participation of CPG members. Barriers to data use included organizational problems in CPGs (e.g., lack of clear procedures, distrust of peers and leadership) and technical assistance needs for CPG members and researchers who provide data. The absence of data relevant to local epidemics was another barrier. Specific linkages are provided between the assessments of these needs and the development of a technical assistance tools (e.g., websites, templates for data presentation, experiential involvement in data use) and strategies for organizational change in CPGs, as well as efforts to better use available data and create or identify new sources of local data.

Community Health Planning↗

PubMed2005

HIV prevention community planning: enhancing data-informed decision-making.

The primary purpose of this study was to test the impact of the first year of a 3-year intervention designed to enhance the use of behavioral data in the Massachusetts HIV Prevention Community Planning Group (MPPG). A one-group, pretest-posttest, nonequivalent independent variables, quasi-experimental design was used to assess changes before and after the first year of implementing strategies to enhance the use of behavioral data in decision-making. Over 90% of the CPG members completed surveys at baseline and at the end of the first year of the intervention. Consistent with the focus of the MPPG intervention in Year One, significant improvements were found from baseline to follow-up in member perceptions of decision-making structure and leadership, satisfaction with prevention planning processes, and intervention prioritization decisions. Findings provide preliminary evidence for the impact on member satisfaction of changes in CPG organizational structures and processes, including redistribution of power and broader constituent representation.

Community Health Planning↗

PubMed2005

Improving the use of data for HIV prevention decision making: lessons learned.

HIV prevention community planning was developed to promote identification of local prevention priorities through a process that was evidence-based and provided community input. There are a variety of barriers to effective use of data in community planning which include characteristics of data (availability, timeliness, relevance to planning tasks), characteristics of planning group members and providers of data (e.g., skills in understanding and applying data), and social-organizational aspects of community-planning groups (CPGs). Lessons learned from this project illustrate how to create locally relevant sources of data, build data use skills of CPG members and data providers, and address social-organizational aspects of planning, while also better integrating community planning with implementation of prevention plans. Adaptation of tools and methods is discussed along with future considerations for research and planning practice.

Community Health Planning↗

PubMed2005

Local school district adoption of state-recommended policies on HIV prevention education.

BACKGROUND: This study evaluated the extent to which school districts in Massachusetts adopted HIV education policies consistent with state education agency recommendations, and whether adoption of state-recommended policy language was associated with other core components of school-based HIV prevention programs such as staff development, curriculum, and implementation characteristics. METHODS: A census of health coordinators (n = 251) and high school HIV teachers (n = 174) in randomly selected schools in Massachusetts were surveyed. Chi-squares and analysis of variance (ANOVAs) were used to analyze data. RESULTS: Most districts' policies fully incorporated state-recommended language for training HIV teachers (62%), providing HIV education within comprehensive sexuality education (62%), and providing skills-based instruction (57%). Districts adopting state-recommended policies were significantly more likely to have trained more HIV teachers (82% vs. 59% of teachers trained; P < 0.001), provided HIV education to a greater percentage of students (90% vs. 50% of students educated; P < 0.001), and adopted research-based curricula (44% vs. 27%; P < 0.01). High school teachers who received training and those using research-based curricula covered more HIV prevention topics and used more skills-based instructional methods than those who did not receive training or did not use research-based curricula (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest that strong, state-level HIV prevention education policy recommendations can help shape local school health policy and, when adopted locally, can positively influence the reach and quality of HIV education.

Analysis of Variance↗

PubMed2003

Condom availability programs in Massachusetts high schools: relationships with condom use and sexual behavior.

OBJECTIVES: This study assessed relationships between condom availability programs accompanied by community discussion and involvement and adolescent sexual practices. METHODS: Sexual practice and condom use differences were assessed in a representative sample of 4166 adolescents enrolled in high schools with and without condom availability programs. RESULTS: Adolescents in schools where condoms were available were more likely to receive condom use instruction and less likely to report lifetime or recent sexual intercourse. Sexually active adolescents in those schools were twice as likely to use condoms, but less likely to use other contraceptive methods, during their most recent sexual encounter. CONCLUSIONS: The strategy of making condoms available, an indication of socioenvironmental support for condom use, may improve HIV prevention practices.

Adolescent↗