Factors influencing attitudes within AIDS service organizations toward theuse of research-based HIV prevention interventions

Although the efficacy of small-group, risk reduction interventions based on cognitive behavioral principles has been widely documented in HIV behavior al research literature, little is known about how AIDS service organization s (ASOs) view these research-based models. From a nationwide sample of 77 A SOs, this study assessed factors influencing attitudes of prevention progra m directors and frontline staff toward research-based interventions. Charac teristics of individual respondents as well as organizational characteristi cs of the ASO itself were used to predict perceived benefits of adopting th is type of intervention, perceived efficacy (confidence) in the ASO's abili ty to implement it, and perceived barriers to adoption. Findings revealed u niformly positive perceptions of benefits among respondents from ASOs of di fferent sizes and organizational experiences, although directors held more favorable evaluations than frontline staff. Respondents from ASOs that were larger, had previously delivered group or workshop interventions, or had r eceived outside technical assistance in the past expressed more confidence in the ability of their ASO to implement the intervention. On the other han d, older and more highly educated individuals had less confidence in their organization's ability to implement the model. Resource constraints (money, staff, and time) were the most common barriers cited by the respondents. O verall, higher organizational role and longer tenure at an ASO were associa ted with the perception of more barriers to adopting science-based interven tions. Respondents from ASOs with a history of receiving technical assistan ce reported fewer perceived barriers. The successful dissemination of HN pr evention models from the research arena to the service arena will require m echanisms to provide appropriate funding and technical assistance, particul arly to smaller organizations. Mindful of the resource constraints faced by ASOs, researchers can facilitate this process by attempting to develop int erventions that are less resource- and time-consuming than current models.