HIV prevention interventions with adolescents: Innovations and challenges in partnerships across the integrated transitions model

Abstract

In the USA, the incidence of HIV is rapidly increasing among young people. To increase the effectiveness of HIV prevention and care, efforts for adolescents should consist of interdisciplinary partnerships that address the complexity of the population and co-occurring physical and mental health issues. Partnerships among academic researchers; representatives from educational and testing organizations, health departments, clinics, and other community-based organizations (including youth-serving organizations); and adolescents themselves are essential. These partnerships can produce innovative strategies that address adolescent-specific issues related to HIV prevention, diagnosis, and care, as well as cultural norms and gender-role expectations particular to adolescents, their developmental stage, and their local communities. Such partnerships can also increase understanding during exploratory and formative evaluation phases, inform the development of interventions and programs that are most relevant to adolescents, and increase the likelihood that these interventions and programs will be implemented, found to be effective, and sustained (if warranted) by communities. Some academic researchers, clinicians, and other providers partner directly with adolescents, while others partner with youth-serving organizations to engage and work with adolescents. In this chapter, we use the integrated model of continuities and transition in adolescent/youth HIV prevention, diagnosis and treatment and the care continuum to illustrate innovative adolescent HIV prevention interventions and programs that engage adolescents and representatives from community organizations, incorporate partnerships, and promote community participation along a continuum. Specifically, we explore two types of partnership strategies-youth-engaged and organization-engaged. We provide an overview of the phases of the integrated model and associated programs with (and without) partnerships with adolescents and community organizations. We conclude with lessons learned and directions for future community-engaged research, interventions, and programs for primary and secondary HIV prevention with adolescents.