An evaluation of intervention strategies for HIV/AIDS in Trinidad and Tobago (2000-2007)

UNLABELLED To evaluate the impact of health promotional strategies against The Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) in Trinidad and Tobago. METHODS The HIV/AIDS Morbidity and Mortality reports were used to chart the pattern of change in the incidence of new HIV positive cases for the years 2000-2007 to determine the decrease in new HIV positive cases after 2004 with the implementation of the National Strategic Plan as well as What's Your Position (WYP), KNOW Your Status and Get Tested Now campaigns. These effects were tested using a quasi-experimental, post exposure design. A cross-sectional survey using street intercept interviews provided data on intervention effectiveness. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine the impact of HIV/AIDS campaigns, using their respective objectives. RESULTS The study showed that a 16% decline in new HIV positive cases began during 2003 and 2004 and continued to decline by smaller margins until 2007. Data collected from the 599 participants with exposure to at least one campaign found that 92.7% reported awareness of WYP, followed by GTN (71.1%), RIU (42.6%), KYS (38.4%) and OUCH! (8.5%). 23.7% participants reported condom use post program exposure, whereas 19.0% practiced informed abstinence. A relationship was found between KYS and HIV/ AIDS Testing (p = .016) and between RIU and increased condom use (p = .010). CONCLUSIONS Since the implementation of the programs, there have been positive lifestyle modifications among the sample population. Particularly "WYP" has been particularly effective in increasing awareness of practicing abstinence, faithfulness to one partner, condom usage when applicable, knowing their HIV status and further educating themselves about HIV/AIDS.