Healthy Brothers/Healthy Sisters (HBHS)
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)
Grant No.
TI019766
Principal Investigator
Jo Ann Ford
