S.T.A.R.S.: Sistas Talking About Real Solutions

The intervention consisted of 2, 4-hour workshops. The first workshop focused on enhancing ethnic/gender pride, self-esteem, realizing values/setting goals, healthy/unhealthy relationships, partner violence, HIV/STD knowledge, heightening awareness of HIV susceptibility, safer-sex options/skills. The second workshop covered realistic choices in sexual decision making, consistent/proper condom use, setting limits/boundaries, communication styles, and condom skills negotiation. Participants received 3-hour booster sessions at 6- and 9-months to reinforce materials from the initial intervention. Bi-monthly phone calls and quarterly mailings were used to reinforce workshop material and facilitate retention.

Participants in this condition received a 2 hour group session which consisted of general health information and women's health brochures facilitated by a trained health educator. The control group received bi-monthly phone calls and quarterly mailings for retention purposes only, with no intervention material provided.