AEGiS-PRn: New Software Aids in Preventing HIV Infection

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1995. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

New Software Aids in Preventing HIV Infection

PR Newswire - November 29, 1995

SEATTLE, Nov. 29 /PRNewswire/ -- PATH -- The Program for Appropriate Technology in Health -- Seattle, Wash., has developed RiskAdvisor, an easy-to-use interactive software program that allows individuals to assess their personal risk of HIV infection based on their present patterns of behavior. The program then helps users develop goals to change their behavior, thereby reducing their risk of infection or transmission. "RiskAdvisor, and computer-based assessment and learning programs like it, hold promise as powerful educational tools by providing simulated experiences that allow individuals to experiment with behavior change strategies," states Dr. Sharon Baker, University of Washington, School of Social Work. Dr. Wayne Dodge, HIV Program, Group Health Cooperative, confirms that "this is exactly the kind of thing we need."

RiskAdvisor was designed by HIV counselors for HIV counselors to help them talk with their clients about potentially embarrassing topics and to show graphically how behavior affects risk of exposure to HIV. While many people are knowledgeable about AIDS, even those at high risk of exposure to HIV often do not perceive themselves as vulnerable to infection. Clients have reported feeling more comfortable answering questions about sexual and injection practices when interacting with RiskAdvisor than they would have if being personally interviewed by a counselor.

RiskAdvisor has been translated for use in AIDS prevention programs in Nepal, the Philippines, Indonesia, and Thailand.

The program, supplied on 3.5" diskettes, requires a 386 or faster computer with Windows and a mouse. A less explicit version, RiskTeacher, is available for more general risk reduction education, as well as Village RiskAdvisor, a paper-based version of RiskAdvisor.

PATH is an international, nonprofit, nongovernmental organization with headquarters in Seattle, WA, and offices in Washington, D.C., Jakarta, Nairobi, Manila, Bangkok, and Kiev.

PATH's mission is to improve health, especially the health of women and children in developing countries. Since 1976, PATH has implemented more than 500 health and family planning projects in 85 developing countries. In recognition of its expertise, PATH has been designated by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a Collaborating Center on AIDS, Research in Human Reproduction, and Hepatitis B Vaccination.

PATH identifies, develops, and applies appropriate, safe, effective and innovative technology-based solutions to public health problems, particularly in the areas of communicable diseases, family planning, and reproductive health.

CONTACT: Andrea Spuck of PATH, 206-285-3500, or aspuck@path.org (e- mail)/ 17:35 EST

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