Healthy Brothers Healthy Sisters

Background/Purpose

The purpose of the Healthy Brothers/Healthy Sisters (HBHS) project was to reduce the impact of substance abuse and/or HIV/AIDS among African American males and females, aged 18-24. HBHS provided the following services to the target population: educational sessions, substance use disorder, HIV, hepatitis, and sexually transmitted disease screenings, HIV rapid testing, substance abuse treatment/relapse prevention supported by contingency management, and strengths-based case management.

Goals

Two goals guided the project:

  • To improve access to substance abuse, HIV/AIDS, hepatitis, sexually transmitted infection, and mental health screening, testing, and treatment services for African American males and females aged 18-24 at highest risk for Substance Use Disorders and HIV/AIDS.
  • To enhance substance abuse treatment services for the target population through the provision of culturally competent and evidence-based practices.

Outcomes

Consumers who completed a follow-up interview after six months showed a significant decrease in days of alcohol use (p = 0.012), as well as in days of illegal drug use (p = 0.001). Marijuana use was most prevalent for this population, and days of marijuana use (p = 0.001) were also significantly lower at follow-up.

Between October 1, 2008, and September 30, 2014, strengths-based case management was provided to 394 participants. On average, case managers made 1.93 referrals (SD = 2.99) per client with consumers completing (and confirmed) 1.59 referrals (SD = 2.61). The greatest needs among participants included issues related to employment, transportation, and HIV testing.

Grant Type

Direct Service

Funded by

SAMHSA, Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT) (off-site)

Grant No.

TI019766

Principal Investigator

Jo Ann Ford

Primary Contact

jo.ford@wright.edu