"Because We All Trust and Care about Each Other": Exploring Tensions Translating a Theater-based HIV Prevention Intervention into a New Context

Background: A theater-based human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) prevention intervention developed in urban California was piloted with a new partnership in North Carolina. Objectives: This work describes the experience of translating a complex program with an enhanced partnership approach, barriers and facilitators of implementation in the new setting, and the challenges and benefits of interdisciplinary, collaborative interventions. Methods: We gathered perspectives of local stakeholders involved in program implementation through process evaluation interviews and focus groups with undergraduates, a college instructor, school district administrators, and high school teachers. Results: Implementing the intervention in a new setting proved feasible and successful; however, misunderstandings arose among stakeholder groups regarding teaching priorities, philosophies, and values, and were a limiting factor in partnership functioning. Conclusions: Implementing a cross-disciplinary intervention in a new setting is best achieved through a local community-engaged process, with active involvement of relevant stakeholders. We suggest strategies to strengthen community partnerships cooperating in implementation of complex, context-tailored interventions.