Developing and Using a Partnership Covenant to Guide a Study of Late HIV Diagnosis

Background: Late diagnosis of HIV is an important problem in the United States, particularly in ethnically and socially diverse communities. Objectives: We created and used a partnership covenant to ensure our adherence to community-based participatory research (CBPR) principles as we began studying and addressing individual and structural barriers to timely HIV testing. Methods: Sample CBPR principles were used to help develop a partnership covenant that in turn was used in steering committee (SC) meetings to gauge our adherence to CBPR in our work together and in the field. Results: Continuing dialogue around our fidelity to the covenant resulted in concrete changes including a “crash course” on sampling for community partners and development of a community advisory board (CAB). Our ability to meet the project’s specific aims was enhanced by using the covenant. Conclusions: Although time consuming, development and use of a CBPR covenant can improve high-level engagement and help to accomplish a study’s specific aims.