Novel program aims to prevent HIV among runaways

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Researchers are encouraged by results of a pilot test of a one-of-a-kind program aimed at preventing HIV infection among runaway adolescents, chiefly by concentrating on a troubled teen's strengths as opposed to his or her weaknesses.

The program called Strengths-Based Case Management was originally developed for adults with severe mental illness or drug abuse. The current study marks the first time it's been used in an adolescent population.

"All youth have strengths, but it's about tapping into these and using them to empower the youth to realize their potential," Dr. Liz Arnold, who presented results of the pilot study at the National HIV Prevention Conference today in Atlanta, said in a written statement.

"Focusing on their strengths and tying them into their future goals shows kids that putting themselves at risk for HIV or other health problems can jeopardize reaching those goals," added Arnold who is an assistant professor of psychiatry and behavioral medicine at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center.

The pilot study involved 21 young people aged 13 to 15 years old from Forsyth County, North Carolina, who had run away but returned home to participate in the 15-month intervention.

For adolescents who run away from home, there is a "narrow window of opportunity" to intervene before they become homeless, when their risk of HIV infection and other negative outcomes rises dramatically, Arnold and colleagues explain.

A hallmark of the strengths-based program are trained "case managers," who meet with troubled teens out in the community as opposed to an office and forge strong, supportive relationships. These caring adult role models help facilitate "positive life changes, including the prevention of HIV through reduction in risky behaviors," Arnold and colleagues explain.

In the pilot study, none of the youth who participated in the strengths-based program ended up in out-of-home placement as compared to 30 percent of those who received standard services.

"The kids were very receptive to having an adult role model. That connection with their case manager was a pivotal piece," Arnold said.

"The goal of the study was to see if you can actually use this model with this population. Is it something that's feasible to use and acceptable to adolescent runaways? The answer is yes," Arnold noted.

Typical programs, she also explained, involve family-focused intervention, and these have met with limited success. "With our project, the family is involved to the degree that they are receptive to being involved in the program, but it's really focused on helping the adolescent, and then letting those positive changes filter down to the family."

The pilot study was funded by a grant from the National Institute on Drug Abuse. Larger tests of the program are planned.