Background:
Young people living in Western Wisconsin are challenged by two major public health issues that often go hand-in-hand; excessive alcohol use and high rates of sexually transmitted infections. The Safer Sex Superhero Program was established in June 2005 by prevention staff at the AIDS Resource Center of Wisconsin. The goal was to create an innovative social marketing and outreach campaign to promote healthy sexuality among alcohol-users in the area. Trained HIV and STD peer educators dress as “Safer-Sex Superheroes” and provide outreach education and barrier methods to young people in the La Crosse community.

Objective:
-Increase knowledge about HIV, STDs, barrier methods, and risky behaviors
-Promote voluntary behavior change of at-risk individuals (alcohol users)
-Increase visibility of ARCW and programs and services it offers


Method:
A process evaluation was conducted on December 1, 2005 at various outreach locations. Trained volunteers surveyed 107 outreach contacts to determine if the above objectives are being accomplished. Participants were asked if they could accurately repeat the HIV or STD fact they learned and how likely they are to use the materials and education they received.

Result:
The evaluation determined that the target population (young alcohol users) was being reached. Over half of particpants surveyed identified as binge drinkers. Of those surveyed, 93% could accurately repeat the fact they learned from the outreach volunteer. The majority surveyed (80%) reported a high likelihood of actually utilizing the materials and education.

Conclusion:
The Safer Sex Superhero program effectively targets high-risk alcohol using young people by increasing knowledge and awareness by employing non-traditional methods of STD and HIV education.

Implications:
Programs like Safer Sex Superheroes increase awareness of public health issues within a community, especially those in underrepresented high-risk populations, like alcohol users. Future research should look at the long-term outcome measures of the program and implementation of similar programs in other communities.