HORIZONS

Developers

Ralph J. DiClemente, Ph.D., Gina M. Wingood, Sc.D. M.P.H., Eve S. Rose, M.S.P.H., Jessica M. Sales, Ph.D., Delia L. Lang, Ph.D. M.P.H., Angela M. Caliendo, M.D. Ph.D., James W. Hardin, Ph.D., and Richard A. Crosby, Ph.D.

Program Summary
HORIZONS is a clinic-based STI/HIV intervention for African American adolescent females that teaches assertive communication skills and proper condom use, and fosters cultural and gender pride. The program is delivered through two 4-hour small group sessions followed by four 15-minute booster phone calls over the following year.
Intended Population
The program is designed for African American females ages 15 to 21, who are sexually active, single, and trying to avoid pregnancy. The program was evaluated first with 18 to 19 year-old African American females, and more recently with younger females, who were 14 to 17 years old.
Program Setting

The program was developed to be delivered in a community-based or health clinic setting. The program was evaluated in a health clinic setting.

Contact and Availability Information

Sociometrics Corporation
1580 W. El Camino Real, Suite 8
Mountain View, CA 94040
Ph: 650-949-3282
Email: socio@socio.com
Website:  https://www.socio.com/products/pasha-horizons-sti-hiv-sexual-risk-reduction-intervention-for-african-american-girls

Sample of Curriculum Available for Review Prior to Purchase
No
Languages Available
English
Monitoring and Evaluation Tools
Monitoring and evaluation tools available
No
Monitoring and evaluation tool usage required
No
Program Components and Core Components

The data presented on this page reflect responses from the program’s developer or distributor to a program component checklist that asked them to report on the individual components within their TPP program. The same program component checklist was sent to the developer or distributor of every active TPP program with evidence of effectiveness. The program component table provides information on seven types of program components including content, delivery mechanism, dosage, staffing, format, context, and intended population characteristics; whether the component was present or optional in the program; whether the component is considered to be core to the program; and the lesson number or activity where the component can be found in the program. In the drop-down menu below, under “Has component,” there are four options that indicate a component as present in the program: (1) “Yes” indicates that the component is present in at least one version of the program (whether that be the program version that was evaluated, the current version, or both versions); (2) “Yes (both versions)” indicates that the component is present in both the evaluated version of the program and the current version of the program; (3) “Yes (current version)” indicates that the component is present in the current, but not the evaluated, version of the program; and (4) “Yes (evaluated version)” indicates that the component is present in the evaluated version of the program, only. Note that for dosage components, the only possible response option was “Yes”, and the dosage is described in the Notes when available. For more details, refer to the FAQ. Some of the components identified are noted as core components of the evidence-based program, but this does not necessarily mean that these components have been rigorously tested and show evidence of effectiveness. Most often developers denoted components as core based on theory or experience in the field. Click here for the list of evidence-based components.

Program component data is not available.

Program Objectives
HORIZONS seeks to reduce STIs by: 1) improving STI/HIV risk-reduction knowledge; 2) improving condom use skills; 3) improving communication with male partners about safer sex practices; 4) reducing the frequency of douching; and 5) facilitating male partners' access to STI screening/treatment.
Program Content

The group sessions are interactive and help train teens in assertive communication skills to negotiate abstinence or safer sex. The program also teaches condom use skills, and participants must complete homework assignments involving the male partner. The program materials are targeted to motivate gender and ethnic pride.

Four follow-up booster; calls reinforce the prevention information provided in the group.

Participants are also given a $20 voucher redeemable by their male partner(s) toward the cost of STI services.

Program Methods
HORIZONS is delivered through small, interactive group workshops that include games, group discussion, condom demonstration,  and brief follow-up phone calls. 
Program Structure and Timeline
The program is designed to be delivered in a health clinic or a community-based setting to groups of up to twelve youth. The core program includes two 4-hour group sessions, 15-minute follow-up phone conversations held at three to four weeks, 10 to 12 weeks, 6 to 7 months, and 9 to 10 months after the second workshop, and vouchers for STD services.
Staffing

The group sessions should be facilitated by two skilled African American female health educators.

Staff Training
There is no required training for this program. Providers interested in training should contact Sociometrics.
Program Materials and Resources
The following program materials are available through the distributor:
  • HORIZONS User's Guide
  • HORIZONS Facilitator's Manual (2 copies for each health educator)
  • Journal Pages copy maters (2 packets - 1 per workshop)
  • Handouts copy masters (2 packets - 1 per workshop)
  • Game Pieces (2 packets - 1 per workshop)
  • Poster copy masters (2 packets - 1 per workshop)
  • Phone Sessions Manual
  • Training Manual
  • Fidelity Kit
  • Local Evaluator Consultant Network Directory
  • Set of Original Evaluation Instruments
  • Prevention Minimum Evaluation Data Set (PMEDS)

While a free sample curriculum is not available, providers may purchase an automatic digital download of the user’s guide to review program components, core competencies for facilitators, and scientific evidence of effectiveness. If providers decide to purchase the program, the price of the download is deducted.

Additional Needs for Implementation
Materials required for the delivery of the program include condoms, personal lubricants, and penis models.
Fidelity
HORIZONS has a fidelity toolkit/checklist and tools for monitoring program implementation. These may be accessed on the Sociometrics website: https://www.socio.com/products/pasha-horizons-sti-hiv-sexual-risk-reduction-intervention-for-african-american-girls
Technical Assistance and Ongoing Support
Sociometrics provides telephone technical support on implementation and evaluation for one year with purchase of the program materials.
Allowable Adaptations
All adaptations must be approved by the developer, in consultation with the distributor.
Adaptation Guidelines or Kit
No
Reviewed Studies
Citation High-Quality Randomized Trial Moderate-Quality Randomized Trial Moderate-Quality Quasi-Experiment Low Study Rating Did Not Meet Eligibility Criteria

Latham et al. 2010

 		✓

DiClemente et al. 2009

Sales et al. 2012

 		✓
Study Characteristics
Citation Setting Majority Age Group Majority Racial/Ethnic Group Gender Sample Size

Latham et al. 2010

 		n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a.

DiClemente et al. 2009

Sales et al. 2012

 		Health clinic or medical facility 18 or 19 African American or Black Young women

715
Study Findings

Evidence by Outcome Domain and Study

Citation Sexual Activity Number of Sexual Partners Contraceptive Use STIs or HIV Pregnancy

Latham et al. 2010

 		n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a.

DiClemente et al. 2009

Sales et al. 2012

 		n.a. n.a. Favorable evidence Potentially favorable evidence n.a.
KEY
Evidence Indication
Favorable findings
Two or more favorable impacts and no unfavorable impacts, regardless of null findings
Potentially favorable findings
At least one favorable impact and no unfavorable impacts, regardless of null findings
Indeterminate findings
Uniformly null findings
Conflicting findings
At least one favorable and at least one unfavorable impact, regardless of null findings
Potentially unfavorable findings
At least one unfavorable impact and no favorable impacts, regardless of null findings
Unfavorable findings
Two or more unfavorable impacts and no favorable impacts, regardless of null findings
Note: n.a. indicates the study did not examine any outcome measures within that particular outcome domain, or the study examined outcome measures within that domain but the findings did not meet the review evidence standards.
Detailed Findings
Citation Details

Latham et al. 2010

This study did not meet the review's eligibility criteria

DiClemente et al. 2009

Sales et al. 2012

The program's evidence of effectiveness was first established in a randomized controlled trial involving sexually active African American females recruited from three health clinics in Atlanta, Georgia. Participants were randomly assigned either to a treatment group that received the HORIZONS program or to a control group that received the current standard of care, consisting of a one-hour STD/HIV prevention group session. Surveys were administered before the program began (baseline) and at six and 12 months after completion of the program. Data collection also included testing for chlamydia, gonorrhea, and trichomonas.

The study found that both 12 months after the program ended, and when averaging data across the two follow-up periods, youth participating in the program reported a significantly higher proportion of condom-protected sex acts, and were significantly more likely to report consistent condom use and condom use at their last sexual encounter. The study also found that youth in the treatment group were significantly less likely to test positive for chlamydia 12 months after the program ended. The study found no statistically significant impacts on gonorrhea or trichomonas infection. For the 6-month follow-up survey, the study found that youth participating in the program reported a significantly higher proportion of condom-protected sex acts in the 14 days and 60 days preceding the survey. The study found no statistically significant impacts on consistent condom use or condom use at last sexual encounter.

The study also examined program impacts on measures of STD/HIV knowledge, condom self-efficacy, partner communication, and frequency of douching. Findings for these outcomes were not considered for the review because they fell outside the scope of the review.

Notes

Some study entries may include more than one citation because each citation examines a different follow-up period from the same study sample, or because each citation examines a different set of outcome measures on the same study sample. A blank cell indicates the study did not examine any outcome measures within the particular outcome domain or the findings for the outcome measures within that domain did not meet the review evidence standards.

Information on evidence of effectiveness is available only for studies that received a high or moderate rating. Read the description of the review process for more information on how these programs are identified.