Client satisfaction and perceived helping components of an HIV/AIDS preventive intervention for urban couples

The purpose of this study was to examine client satisfaction, perceived helping components, and perceived frequency of condom use among men and women who participated in an HIV/STD relationship-basedpreventive intervention. Method: 107 participants completed evaluation forms at the end of the last of five weekly intervention sessions. Levels of overall satisfaction, what participants liked and learned, what they felt helped them in the intervention, and their report on the frequency of male and female condom use pre- and postintervention were evaluated. Results: The intervention was highly regarded by participants. The helpful components of the intervention were the couples' ability to communicate better with their main partner and the special strategies the facilitators used. Gender differences in immediate HIV risk reduction behavior changes were found. Conclusions: It is important to evaluate client perceptions of the helping components in combination with structured assessment of targeted outcomes in treatment and preventive interventions.