The SISTA PROJECT is a gender relevant and culturally sensitive social skills training intervention. Originally designed to be delivered in a community-based setting for African-American, the five-session group program emphasizes ethnic and pride, HIV risk-reduction information, sexual negotiation skills, proper condom use, and development of partner norms supportive of consistent condom. The information in the five sessions is cumulative: each session builds on the last. Group discussion, lecture, role play and written homework are used to enhance retention of program learning.

Social cognitive theory and the theory of gender and power provide the intervention's theoretical foundation. Throughout the five sessions, the curriculum focuses on how gender roles, commitment to a relationship and a woman lack of power in a relationship may affect her willingness to implement consistent HIV risk reduction behavior.

This intervention was originally implemented over 11 month period in 1993 by two African-American peer health educators in a San Francisco neighborhood. 128 women aged from 18 to 29 years old were screened for participation in this study. Overall, the researchers determined that a culturally sensitive, gender relevant HIV risk-reduction program that incorporates social skills training offered in a community-based setting can increase consistent condom use. Then in 1997, The SISTA PROJECT was selected by a Scientist Expert Panel for inclusion in HIV/AIDS Prevention Program Archive HAPPA.

For more information about how you can participate. Call 617 265-0628 ext 227. or email epierre@ccher.org.