An HIV/AIDS prevention project for Mexican homosexual men: an empowerment approach
Zimmerman, M.A.; Ramirez-Valles, J.; Suarez, E.; de la Rosa, G.; Castro, M.A.
Health Education and Behavior the Official Publication of the Society for Public Health Education 24(2): 177-190
1997
ISSN/ISBN: 1090-1981 PMID: 9079577 DOI: 10.1177/109019819702400206Document Number: 268554
In this intervention, participants design and implement an HIV/AIDS prevention project for Mexican homosexual men. The intervention is consistent with, and contributes to, empowerment theory because it enhances collective action, provides opportunities to develop knowledge and skills, creates needed resources, and includes shared control with professionals among participants. The intervention described provides an illustration of an empowering process and distinguishes itself from empowerment outcomes. An evaluation of the project is also described, but the outcomes were HIV/AIDS-related behaviours rather than psychological empowerment of the participants. The results suggest that the participants' HIV/AIDS knowledge and preventive behaviour improved when compared to individuals who did not participate in the intervention. In addition, the intervention generated community change initiated by participants. Implications for designing interventions using an empowerment approach are discussed.