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With New Jersey AIDS Partnership, CHS launches new project to combat HIV/AIDS in Cumberland County, NJ

HIV/AIDS continues to be a public health problem in New Jersey, particularly among the Latino community. In 2007, New Jersey’s Department of Health reported that Latinas make up over a third of reported HIV/AIDS diagnoses in Cumberland County. With support from the New Jersey AIDS Partnership and the Hyacinth AIDS Foundation, and in collaboration with Community Health Care Incorporated (CHCI), the Center for Human Services (CHS) is supporting HIV counseling and testing among minority populations in southern New Jersey.

The project aims to raise awareness on how to prevent HIV, to encourage safer sex, and to maximize community participation. The CHS AIDS Partnership Project targets migrant farmworker women in Cumberland County, NJ of reproductive age as well as their partners.

SISTA and RAPP intervention programs increase HIV awareness

The CHS AIDS Partnership Project design incorporates elements of two successful HIV prevention programs: Real AIDS Prevention Project (RAPP) and Sister Informing Sister about Topics on AIDS (SISTA).

SISTA is a peer led, culturally-appropriate intervention design to prevent HIV infection among Latina women by increasing condom use. The program focuses on skill building such as improving self esteem, negotiation in relationships, and maintaining sexual health.  

SISTA focuses on developing pride among participants about their gender and ethnicity, increasing their knowledge about HIV and AIDS, and improving skills in decision-making about sex. 

RAPP is a community mobilization program aimed to reduce the risk of HIV by increasing condom use. Each week, RAPP peer networkers conduct individual outreach interventions in the community. Peer networkers speak with community members about safer sex practices, disseminate role model stories, and distribute condoms, and educational materials.

CHS AIDS Partnership Project offers on site HIV testing

A phlebotomist trained in HIV testing provided by CHCI administers HIV testing weekly at the CHS Bridgeton office. Patients with positive preliminary test results will be offered a phone consultation with a CHCI physician.  As an incentive, ten dollar gift cards will be issued to all patients following testing.

For more information about this project, please contact Louis Marino at lmarino@urc-chs.com.

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