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Project SAFE

An Evidence-Based Practice

This practice has been Archived and is no longer maintained.

Description

Project SAFE is an intervention program to reduce risky sex behaviors among Mexican-American and African-American women who have been diagnosed with gonorrhea, Chlamydia, syphilis, or trichomonas. Women diagnosed with a sexually transmitted disease (STD) attend small group intervention sessions to increase awareness of STDs and prevention methods, correct myths about STD acquisition, learn about personal risk, and discuss barriers to condom use. Videos, games, discussions, and skills building exercises teach women how to ask partners about sexual behaviors, make safer sexual health decisions, and properly apply condoms. Women also learn preventive strategies including abstinence, monogamy, condom use, and reducing the number of sexual partners. Participant are provided ongoing STD counseling, testing, and treatment.

Goal / Mission

The goal of Project SAFE is to reduce new Chlamydia and gonorrhea infections by reducing risky sexual behaviors.

Results / Accomplishments

Women who participated in Project SAFE were significantly less likely to report unprotected sex with untreated or incompletely treated partners (p < 0.001) than women in a standard care control group. Intervention participants were significantly less likely to report having more than one sexual partner across the entire two year follow-up period (p < 0.002) when compared to the control group. Participants were also significantly less likely to acquire a new STD over the entire two year follow-up (p < 0.008) than women who received standard care.

About this Promising Practice

Organization(s)
University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
Primary Contact
Dr. Rochelle Shain
Department of OB/GYN
University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
7703 Floyd Curl Drive
San Antonio, TX 78229
https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/pdf/research/interventionr...
Topics
Health / Immunizations & Infectious Diseases
Health / Women's Health
Organization(s)
University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
Source
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Date of publication
2004
Date of implementation
1996
Geographic Type
Urban
Location
San Antonio, TX
For more details
Target Audience
Adults, Women