A group level intervention, SIHLE is a peer-led, social-skills training intervention aimed at reducing HIV sexual risk behavior among sexually active, African American teenage females, ages 14-18. An adaptation of the SISTA intervention, SIHLE emphasizes ethnic and gender pride, and enhances awareness of HIV risk reduction strategies such as abstaining from sex, using condoms consistently, and having fewer sex partners. It consists of four 3-hour sessions, delivered by two peer facilitators (ages 18-21) and one adult facilitator in a community-based setting.
The sessions are designed for 10-12 African American teenage females. The sessions are gender-specific, culturally relevant and include behavioral skills practice, group discussions, lectures, role-playing, and take-home exercises.
SIHLE targets sexually experienced, African American teenage girls (ages 14-18) who are at risk for acquiring or transmitting HIV/STIs.
General Training Information
Since SIHLE is a peer-led intervention, the majority of the activities in each session are facilitated by near peers (18-21 yrs) who are co-facilitators with the adult facilitator. Therefore, we strongly recommend that 2-3 staff members (one adult and two near peers) per organization attend SIHLE TOFs:
Staff Required to Attend:
Group facilitators (or any staff) who will facilitate the SIHLE sessions. At least one of the attendees MUST be a trained near peer facilitator (18-21 yrs). The near peer facilitator must have initial facilitator training as well as HIV training (facilitation and HIV 101), or there must be an indication of how this training will occur prior to facilitating the SIHLE intervention.
If only the adult facilitator will attend, then the organization must submit a training plan indicating how the near peers will be trained once the adult facilitator returns from the SIHLE TOF. This plan must be submitted for review prior to attending the SIHLE TOF. The adult attendee will not receive a confirmation letter until the training plan is submitted. Guidance for completing the plan is available here.
Please click the "Apply for Training" tab at the top of the page to place yourself on a list for email alerts of upcoming trainings.
Research and Development
DiClemente RJ, Wingood GM, Harrington KF, Lang DL, Davies SL, Hook EW 3rd, Oh MK, Crosby RA, Hertzberg VS, Gordon AB, Hardin JW, Parker S, Robillard A. (2004). Efficacy of an HIV prevention intervention for African American adolescent girls: a randomized controlled trial. Journal of the American Medical Association, 292(2):171-9.
CDC Policy on Youth Peer Outreach Workers
CDC funded (directly or indirectly) agencies using youth (either paid or volunteer) in program outreach activities need to use caution and judgment in the venues/situations where youth workers are placed. Agencies should give careful consideration to the "age appropriateness" of the activity or venue. Additionally, agencies should comply with all relevant laws and regulations regarding entrance into adult establishments/environments. Laws and curfews should be clearly outlined in required safety protocols developed and implemented by agencies directly and indirectly funded by CDC.
If you have specific questions, please contact your CDC project officer.