Rosemary C. Veniegas ^1*, Uyen H. Kao ¹, Ricardo Rosales ², Melissa Arellanes ³

¹ UCLA Department of Family Medicine
² City of Los Angeles AIDS Coordinator's Office
³ UCLA Department of Psychology

^* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: veniegas{at}ucla.edu.

	Abstract

Objectives. We examined implementation of evidence-based interventions for HIV prevention at community-based organizations in Los Angeles County, CA.

Methods. We conducted 2 waves of interviews with 34 organization staff members. We analyzed activities reported by staff in the phases (preimplementation, implementation, and maintenance and evolution) and activities defined by the technology transfer model for evidence-based HIV prevention interventions.

Results. Staff members were able to select, adapt, and implement evidence-based HIV prevention interventions despite challenges in each phase of technology transfer. Preimplementation challenges included lack of information and poor fit between the interventions and organizations’ clients. Implementation challenges included retention of participants across intervention sessions and staff turnover. A challenge in the maintenance and evolution phase was enhancing staff skills in outcome monitoring and cost analyses.

Conclusions. Technical assistance must be matched to the specific challenges found in each phase of technology transfer. Successful transfer of evidence-based HIV prevention interventions will depend on their continued uptake and use by organization staff. This study highlights directions for improving communications regarding appropriate modifications to these interventions and for organizational planning to continue adapted interventions.

Key Words: HIV/AIDS, Prevention, Public Health Practice