1. Practicum Report
Student name: Asad Ahmed
Site of Practicum: Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health Harlem Health
Promotion Center
Practicum Site Supervisor: Carly Hutchinson, Ph.D.
Period of Practicum Start date: 6/17/2015 End date: 8/24/2015
1. Profile of Practicum Organization:
a) Mission/purpose/goals of the organization
The Harlem Health Promotion Center describes their organization as follows: “The
Harlem Health Promotion Center (HHPC) is a collaboration of community, academic,
and public health stakeholders to improve the health and well-being of the Harlem
community. Since 1990, HHPC has been working with Harlem leaders and community
members through research, education, advocacy, and service delivery.
The Harlem Health Promotion Center has set itself apart through its focus on health
through innovative education and modern communication technologies. As part of
Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health, the HHPC fosters the extensive
use of proven methods to promote good health.
The Harlem Health Promotion Center’s mission is to use community partnerships, health
training, program evaluation, information technology, and infrastructure to improve the
health and well-being of the Harlem community, and effectively communicate and
disseminate public health practices to Harlem’s residents. As an innovative and inclusive
non-profit organization serving Harlem and Upper Manhattan, The Harlem Health
Promotion Center addresses a broad spectrum of health issues ranging from chronic
disease to HIV and sexually transmitted infections.

2. In response to the evolving needs of the community, the center has developed a socio-
ecological model that incorporates community-based research, education and outreach,
and health service delivery to accomplish its goals. With its dynamic community and
academic collaborations, the HHPC connects both local resources in Harlem and Upper
Manhattan with the broader public health community and stakeholders throughout the
city and state of New York (Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health
Harlem Health Promotion Center [HHPC], 2015, 1).”
b) Mission/ purpose/goals of the student
As an MPH student at NYMC SHSP, I hope to one day utilize my academic based
training in a public health capacity. I hope to either work in an academia or government-
based setting managing large scale public health projects. At the Harlem Health
Promotion Center, I managed Project STAY (Services to Assist Youth) under the
supervision of the Project Director. Components of the project were multifaceted
including finalizing sexual/reproductive content for adolescent youth, developing a
downloadable report for stakeholders detailing the center’s health prevention/promotion
activities and creating a resources section that detailed potential sites able to provide
assistance to adolescents and Harlem residents.
c) Organizational structure

3. [Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health Harlem Health Promotion
Center: organizational structure and operations]
d) Services and programs offered
 Community-Based Research- research is targeted towards health disparities in the
Harlem and Upper Manhattan area.
 Health Education and Outreach- with the assistance of certified health education
specialists, the center utilizes trained health educators to provide education,
counseling and screening services to residents.
 Health Service Delivery- medical and psychological care is given to youth aged
13-24 living with HIV as well as those at risk for HIV and other Sexually
Transmitted Diseases (HHPC, 2015).
Directand
coordinate
newpublic
health
projects.
• Dr. Cohall, MD, MPH; Rene Cohall, LSW
• Center Director; Director of Special Initiatives/Project Coordination
Manages day
to day
activitiesof
new and
existing
projects.
• Carly Hutchinson, MA,Ph.D
• Project Director
Internsand
practicum
students
assistin
managing
projects.
• Various Practicum/Internship students working on assigned projects.
• MBBI, Project STAY, Project SHARE, Youth Access Program,

4. e) Population served (include demographic/census data)
Since the Harlem Health Promotion Center is located on 125th St. in Manhattan, it
primarily serves residents of East and Central Harlem. The center educates and provides
community outreach through various projects. Project STAY for example, is currently
providing services to 65+ HIV positive clients. The HHPC created website
gethealthyharlem.org (GHH) averages 7,000 page and 3,000 users using the website per
month. The Youth Access program, which concentrates on providing sexual/reproductive
education and outreach to African-American teenagers was able to reach 2,500 young
people in 2014 (HHPC, 2015).
f) Other information
While co-managing Project STAY, I simultaneously assisted the Project Director and her
research assistant with the Mind Brain Behavior Institute (MBBI) project, a report
detailing the educational needs of Harlem schoolchildren through community needs
assessments. My MBBI duties involved performing literature reviews and assisting with
writing the draft for the preliminary report.
Secondly, it is important to note that the bulk of the sexual/reproductive content was
created by a previous intern. I completed the final pages of the sexual/reproductive
content and this report will only cover my contribution.
2. Description of student’s project:
Introduction (include description of project, literature search and literature review, why is
this project important)

5. A teenage girl recently had sex with her boyfriend. The condom tore during penetration.
He tells her that there is nothing to worry about as far as diseases are concerned. Five
years later she starts to experience frequent diarrhea, fatigue, fever and swollen lymph
nodes (Quizlet, 2015).
This case study is an example of a sexually transmitted disease, an infection that occurs
from having sex with or engaging in sexual behaviors with an individual who is infected
(U.S. National Library of Medicine, 2014). If left untreated, an STD may cause: pelvic
inflammatory disease, sterility, illness or death of an infant whose mother had an STD
when she was pregnant, serious illness and disease not often discussed such as blindness,
heart disease or cancer and an increased risk of contracting HIV (New York State
Department of Health, 2013). Being a pregnant adolescent with an STD diagnosis has
social implications including stigmatization from society and one’s peers as well as
possible humiliation for the teenage mothers who are at a great disadvantage compared to
their peers (Manlove et. al. 2002). In the United States, sexually transmitted diseases
rates are higher than rates in other developed countries. Also, in the United States STD
rates are highest among teenagers and young adults at about 26.5 live births per 1,000
population (Manlove et. al. 2002).
A sexually transmitted disease is spread through contact with infected body fluids (blood,
semen or vaginal secretions) or infected skin or mucous membranes (New York City
Department of Health and Mental Hygiene [DOHMH], 2015). Safe sex practices such as
condom use may reduce the occurrence of an infection; however in underserved areas
such as East Harlem less than one third of those with multiple sex partners reported using
a condom (New York City Community Health Profiles, 2006). Adolescent youth are a

6. population of concern for public health professionals. In fact, about half of all new STD
diagnoses in the U.S. are young adults aged 15 to 24 (Satterwhite et. al. 2008).
Being sexually active increases the likelihood of pregnancy. In 2009, over 46 percent of
high school students reported ever having sexual intercourse (Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention, 2010). Finer & Henshaw (2006) add that eight in ten of all pregnancies
among adolescents are either unplanned or occurred before the adolescents were ready to
be parents.
Learning about condoms, birth control pills, the patch, IUD’s and injectable birth control
methods may give an adolescent a greater sense of security knowing that prevention
methods are available for them, at no cost and without any parental consent (U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services, 2015). Clare & Fraser (2013) studied
contraception adherence in inner-city, East Harlem youth and found that younger
adolescents were at a greater risk for low contraception compliance than older
adolescents.
Project STAY (Services to Assist Youth) provides medical and psychological care for
adolescents aged 13-24 living with HIV/AIDS in or near the New York City area with
services delivered in one of New York Presbyterian’s Ambulatory Care Network Center
sites in Washington Heights (HHPC, 2015). My current involvement in Project STAY
involved using primary prevention methods such as sexual health education and
community outreach to create web-based content that would benefit inner-city youth by
providing information on sexual/reproductive topics that they may have little or no
knowledge of. A list of fifty plus sexual/reproductive healthopedia (HHPC web-based

7. dictionary) terms were created in an effort to help adolescents understand the site’s
health-related content. The terms had to be written so that a younger age group, 13-18,
could easily comprehend. Secondly, the sexual/reproductive content section had to be
finalized so that it would be ready to upload by the web developer. The content also had
to be coded “[NEW HEALTHOPEDIA TERM]” or [EXISTING HEALTHOPEDIA
TERM]” so that the web developer could know which terms had to be uploaded and
which terms could be out. Areas where pictures would be put up would have a labeling
under them which said “[INSERT PICTURE HERE].” For example, a description of a
male condom might have an “[INSERT PICTURE HERE]” label under it. Thirdly, a site
resources section was created in order to provide at-risk youth with a source of support
should issues involving domestic violence (at the suggestion of the project director),
pregnancy or STD’s arise. Finally, a downloadable report detailing the Harlem Health
Promotion Center’s objectives, accomplishments and goals was created. Leslie-Harwitt
and Meheus (1989) state that because STD’s are often physical diseases that are incurable
and impact lives permanently, the necessity of primary prevention of disease through
health promotion and behavioral change has become increasingly important for public
health professionals. My purpose as the assistant project manager in this project is to
prevent at-risk behaviors, promote sexually healthy behaviors, educate regarding options
an individual may undertake should issues arise and create content that is suitable and
comprehensible for at-risk adolescents aged 13-24.
a) Objectives
aa) Finalize the new Project STAY website’s sexual/reproductive content for adolescents and
thoroughly edit pre-existing material created.

8. bb) Develop a downloadable report for funders and stakeholders providing an overview on
Project STAY services, significant organizational accomplishments and educational
opportunities for students in public health/medical sciences that may be placed on the
new STAY website.
cc) Create a resources section that details available homeless shelters, domestic violence
resources and miscellaneous services for adolescents and Harlem residents that will be
placed on the new STAY website.
dd) Add an additional fifty plus terms to the healthopedia (HHPC health-centered online
dictionary) to serve as a resource for adolescent primary prevention and education.
b) Methods (list and discuss how each learning objective was met)
aa). - Finalize the new Project STAY website’s sexual/reproductive content for
adolescents and edit pre-existing material created.
As I began my internship at the HHPC, I was given the task of reviewing, editing and
completing the sexual/reproductive content on the website. The pregnancy section wasn’t
complete so my first task in approaching the project was to finish writing the content. My
project director informed me that my sources did not have to be cited but I would need to
find information from educational institutions, websites with an .edu URL or
governmental agencies, websites with a .gov URL.
The section I created was under the pregnancy section titled “What is pregnancy?” Brief
descriptions of pregnancy-related situations such as but not limited to abortion,
miscarriage, pregnancy options, pregnancy test and the stages of becoming pregnant were
described. For the full list of pregnancy-related content, please refer to Appendix A.

9. bb).- Develop a downloadable report for funders and stakeholders providing an
overview on Project STAY services, significant organizational accomplishments and
educational opportunities for students in public health/medical sciences that may be
placed on the new STAY website.
The project director thought it would be a good idea to place a downloadable PDF to the
new STAY website describing the HPPC and Project STAY. After viewing a slideshow
with the Project director and reviewing several pamphlets and brochures detailing HHPC
and its services, the opportunities the center provides for students and Project STAY’s
work with at-risk HIV youth, I created an outline of how I wanted the PDF to be
formatted. During my meetings with the Project director, she revised and edited my PDF
proposal outline. Once agreement from the Project director and I could be reached, it was
agreed that we were ready to start our finalized version of the PDF.
The final PDF’s components included: background, program types, benefits to the fields
of medicine and public health, health education, practicums and internships, the
Specialized Care Center program at New York Presbyterian, the Youth Access Program
and the center’s work with LGBT youth. For the stakeholder document, please refer to
Appendix B.
cc).Create a resources section that details available homeless shelters, domestic
violence resources, food pantries and miscellaneous services for adolescents and
Harlem residents that will be placed on the new STAY website.
A section assisting at-risk, underserved youth who needed aid in the areas of
homelessness, domestic violence, food pantries and general services was added so that
site users who struggled with issues could find comfort in

10. others who struggled with similar situations and not feel obsolete. The project director
and I decided that since we are the Harlem Health Promotion Center, it would be best if
available sources of support were in Harlem and the upper Manhattan area. A thorough
online search was conducted to ensure that all of the sites were active and accepted
populations at-risk. For the full resources section, please refer to Appendix C.
dd).Add an additional fifty plus terms to the healthopedia (HHPC health-centered
online dictionary) to serve as a resource for adolescent primary prevention and
education.
HHPC’s alternative website, gethealthyharlem.org has its own site dictionary called the
healthopedia. The project director decided that the website needed to be expanded and
wanted to add a minimum of fifty new terms. Since I finalized the sexual/reproductive
content, she asked me to go through the finalized content, page by page and make sure
each health-related term was in the healthopedia. As was done so for the
sexual/reproductive content, I had to ensure that the definitions for the terms were from
reliable sources so it was decided on that governmental organizations and educational
institutions would be used.
After my initial efforts, the project director provided feedback and said that I needed to
make the content more understandable to a younger audience, since some of the site users
were between the ages of 13-16. After meticulously editing and rewriting, it was decided
that sixty-three new terms would go onto the gethealthyharlem.org website when the
Project Director decided to upload the project with the web developer. For the full list of
newly defined healthopedia terms, refer to appendix D.
c) i. Presentation of results

11. The goal of this project was to assist in the creation of the new Project STAY website.
For this practicum, health education and primary prevention were identified from the
onset as a resource that could help promote healthy adolescent sexual/reproductive
behavior. This was done through the creation of the sixty three new healthopedia terms
and the finalized sexual/reproductive content. Secondly, getting stakeholders and possible
funders to understand the importance of the HHPC was emphasized when creating the
stakeholder document.
ii. Discussion of competencies (list and discuss how each competency was met)
EPI C2- Identify the principles and limitations of public health screening programs.
Screening programs aim to identify individuals who will benefit from early detection of
risk factors for, or the onset of, a disease. Screening tests are given to asymptomatic
populations, populations that have a predisposition to a condition or people who have the
condition at an earlier stage, as opposed to populations that present symptoms of the
disease (Holland, 2007). The programs do benefit healthcare practitioners in terms of
their ability to detect and prevent illness, disease and the presentable risk factors of an
illness in individuals and populations. However, according to the U.S. National Library
of Medicine (2013) screening tests do have some limitations: Firstly, the tests can’t
influence whether someone will become ill. Secondly, those receiving preventive
treatment may have never gotten the disease in the first place. Finally, tests may have a
high specificity, meaning that the examination only catches people who already have the
disease.
Health education materials such as the new website for Project STAY may provide a
more personal form of communication, and community-based educational outreach, as

12. well as focus on better equipping adolescents with the tools to overcome the structural
barriers to health (Nutbeam, 2000).
HPM C2- Recognize the legal and ethical basis for public health and healthcare
policies and procedures.
Perceived stigmatization by healthcare providers may discourage STD positive
individuals from seeking treatment (Kinsler, Wong, Sayles, Davis & Cunningham, 2007).
Project STAY aims to provide services to adolescents without the fear of being judged or
condemned (Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital of New York Presbyterian, 2015).
Creating health education content through Project STAY enabled me to provide youth
with valuable sexual/reproductive health information, address medical concerns and
provide community outreach to vulnerable individuals who may otherwise be too
frightened or intimidated to discuss their bodies or behavior with their healthcare
providers.
Even though I did not work directly with patients during my practicum at the HHPC, I
was able to thoroughly review their services, goals and commitment to patient
confidentiality. Project STAY adheres to ethical standards all healthcare professionals are
expected to follow, including: the privacy and confidentiality of adolescent minors, the
right to privacy by patients and the right of access to medical records (American
Association of Family Physicians, 2013).
EPI P9- Write an epidemiological profile of a disease (e.g. clinical course of the
condition, descriptive epidemiology, risk factors and levels of prevention).
HIV is spread primarily by: anal sex, vaginal sex, having multiple sex partners or having
other STI’s (U.S. Department of Health & Human Services [DHHS], 2014). Also, the

13. DHHS (2014) notes other methods of infection or transmission, although less common,
they include: being born to an infected mother, being stuck with an HIV-contaminated
needle and blood transmission with an infected individual. About one in four new
infections are among youth ages 13-24, most who don’t realize that they are infected
(DHHS, 2014). The HIV incidence rate in the U.S., the number of new infections per
year has remained stable at about 50,000 new HIV infections per year (Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention, 2015). The HIV prevalence rate in the U.S., the number
of people living with HIV infection at a given time at the end of 2012 was an estimated
1.2 million persons aged 13 and older with an estimated 156,300 who were not aware that
they are infected (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2008-2012). To prevent
HIV infection, an individual should: choose less risky sexual behaviors, reduce one’s
number of sexual partners, consider using pre-exposure prophylaxis if beginning
intercourse with a positive partner and get tested regularly (Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention, 2015).
For Project STAY, the health terms I created were to provide site users with adequate
knowledge about protection, sexual health promotion and symptomology that occurs with
the onset of a sexually transmitted infection.
BSHP P4- Describe the major issues in health education and effecting change in
individuals, groups and communities.
Young adults risk put themselves in high risk situations all too frequently. Not being
reflective of their at-risk behaviors while knowing the risks of their actions puts
adolescents in danger (Skrickus, n.d.). Zeeb, Spallek & Zeeb (2011) report that a
teenager’s knowledge does not always translate into behavior change, teen sex education

14. is important for STD prevention and more attention should be paid by public health
professionals to other sexually transmitted diseases such as chlamydia, gonorrhea and
herpes. To bring change to individuals, groups and communities there are many different
perspectives and theories in public health. Rimer & Glanz (2005) use the ecological
model to describe what levels of influence must be targeted to bring about change. At the
intrapersonal level, individual characteristics that influence behavior, such as attitudes,
knowledge, beliefs and personality traits are targeted. At the group level, interpersonal
processes and primary groups, including family, friends and peers that provide social
identify, support and role definition are targeted. At the community level, social networks
and norms, or standards, which exist as formal or informal among individuals, groups and
organizations are targeted.
With my involvement in Project STAY, I was able to make the necessary steps in order
set the foundation so that change could be implemented in the community and group
setting. Creating health education and web-based content for Project STAY and the
Harlem Health Promotion Center will enable me to reach hundreds, if not thousands of
adolescent users a month who wish to learn more about sexual/reproductive content or
have questions they’re too scared to ask. Word-of-mouth spreads quickly, especially
amongst youth. The new Project STAY website has the potential to spread quickly
amongst adolescents.

15. iii. Public health implications
Public health professionals, physicians and health educators may use the Project STAY
content in the future for continuing education purposes and for educating patients and
professionals. Websites like the new STAY site may attract health education teachers
looking to attract students through the power of the internet.
The creation of web-based materials for Project STAY will allow Harlem residents to
gain access to invaluable sexual/reproductive information and resources should an
emergency situation involving domestic violence, unplanned pregnancy or homelessness
arise. The overall goal of the content is to provide adolescents with options and
alternatives so that they may make informed decisions in a responsible manner.
d) References (minimum of ten AMA or APA style)
American Association of Family Physicians. (2013). Confidentiality, patient/physician.
Retrieved September 15, 2015, from
http://www.aafp.org/about/policies/all/patient-confidentiality.html
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2010). Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance
Survey - United States, 2009. Surveillance summaries: MMWR 2010; 59 (No. SS-
5). Retrieved September 9, 2015 from
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/pdf/ss/ss5905.pdf
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2015). HIV in the United States: At a
glance. Retrieved September 15, 2015, from
http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/statistics/basics/ataglance.html

16. Clare, C., & Fraser, C. (2013). Contraception adherence among East Harlem adolescents.
Gynecology & Obstetrics, 3(5), 1-1. doi:10.4172/2161-0932.1000177. Retrieved
September 15, 2015 from http://www.omicsonline.org/contraception-adherence-
among-east-harlem-adolescents-2161-0932.1000177.pdf
Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health Harlem Health Promotion Center.
(2015). About. Retrieved Sept 5, 2015 from
https://www.mailman.columbia.edu/harlem-health-promotion-center/about
Finer, L. B., & Henshaw, S. K. (2006). Disparities in rates of unintended pregnancy in
the United States, 1994 and 2001. Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive
Health, 38(2), 90-96.
Hall, H., An, Q., Tang, T., Song, R., Chen, M., Green, T., & Kang, J. (2015, June 26).
Prevalence of diagnosed and undiagnosed HIV infection — United States, 2008–
2012. Retrieved September 15, 2015
fromhttp://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6424a2.htm?s_cid=mm6
424a2_e.
Holland, S. (2007). Health promotion as behavior modification. In Public health
ethics (pp. 125-126). Cambridge: Polity Press.
Kinsler, J., Wong, M., Sayles, J., Davis, C., & Cunningham, W. (2007). The effect of
perceived stigma from a health care provider on access to care among a low-
income HIV-positive population. Aids Patient Care and STDs, (8) 584-592.
Leslie-Harwit, M., & Meheus, A. (n.d.). Sexually transmitted disease in young
people. Sexually Transmitted Diseases, 16, 15-20.

17. Manlove, J., Terry-Humen, E., Papillo, A., Franzetta, K., Williams, S., & Ryan, S. (2002,
May 1). Preventing teenage pregnancy, childbearing, and sexually transmitted
diseases: What the research shows. Retrieved September 15, 2015 from
http://www.childtrends.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Preventing-Teenage-
Pregnancy-Childbearing-and-Sexually-Transmitted.pdf.
New York City Community Health Survey. (2006). HIV/AIDS testing and prevention.
Take care East Harlem. NYC Community Health Profiles, Second Edition; 16.
Retrieved from http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/downloads/pdf/data/2006chp-
302.pdf
New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Bureau of STD Control.
(2006). Neighborhood healthy highlight: Sexually transmitted infections. Take
care Central Harlem. NYC Community Health Profiles, Second Edition; 16.
Retrieved from http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/downloads/pdf/data/2006chp-
302.pdf
New York Presbyterian-Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital. (2015). Project STAY
(Services to Assist Youth) - Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital of NewYork
Presbyterian. Retrieved September 15, 2015, from
http://childrensnyp.org/mschony/project-stay.html
New York State Department of Health. (2013). What you need to know about the links
between HIV and STDs. Retrieved September 15, 2015 from
https://www.health.ny.gov/diseases/aids/consumers/hiv_basics/stds_hiv.htm
Nutbeam, D. (2000). Health literacy as a public health goal: A challenge for
contemporary health education and communication strategies into the 21st

18. century. Health Promotion International, (15) 259-267.
doi:10.1093/heapro/15.3.259
Quizlet. (n.d.) STD Case studies. Retrieved September 15, 2015 from
https://quizlet.com/10807127/std-case-studies-flash-cards/
Rimer, B.K., & Glanz, K. (2005). Theory at a glance: A guide for health promotion
practice, 2nd edition. (NIH Pub. No. 05-3896). Washington, DC: National Cancer
Institute.
Satterwhite, C., Torrone, E., Meites, E., Dunne, E., Mahajan, R., Ocfemia, M. . . .
Weinstock, H. (2013). Sexually transmitted infections among US women and men
prevalence and incidence estimates, 2008. Sexually Transmitted Diseases, 40(3),
187-193. doi:10.1097/OLQ.0b013e318286bb53
Skrickus, P. (n.d.). Regardless of education and awareness, STDs still growing problem
with young adults. Retrieved September 15, 2015, from http://www.elon.edu/e-
web/pendulum/issues/2005/04_28/features/specialprojects.xhtml
U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. (2014). U.S. statistics. Retrieved
September 15, 2015, from https://www.aids.gov/hiv-aids-basics/hiv-aids-
101/statistics/index.html
U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. (2015). Sexually transmitted diseases.
Retrieved September 15, 2015, from http://www.hhs.gov/ash/oah/resources-and-
publications/info/parents/just-facts/stds.html
U.S. National Library of Medicine. (2014). Benefits and Risks of Screening Tests. AAP
Grand Rounds, 14-15. Retrieved September 4, 2015 from
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0072602/

19. Zeeb, F., Spallek, L., & Zeeb, H. (2011). Awareness and knowledge of sexually
transmitted diseases (STDs) among school-going adolescents in Europe: A
systematic review of published literature. BMC Public Health, 727-727.
doi:10.1186/1471-2458-11-727
Final products of project:
a) Practicum Poster
b) Practicum Report
c) PDF for stakeholders
d) Resources section for adolescents
e) Full list of newly defined Healthopedia terms and their definitions
f) Final pages of sexual/reproductive content section
4. Did this project further your educational/career goals? (Yes/No) Please explain
Yes. This project furthered both my educational and career goals. Firstly, it led me to a greater
understanding of what I want to do post-graduation. After working on web-based content for
Project STAY, I decided that I want to enter the field of adolescent health. Secondly, the most
important skill I learned with Project STAY was project management. Managing the day to day
meetings with my supervisor and the creating the content above led me to gain skills that
translate into professional experience.
5. Would you recommend this practicum site to other students? (Yes/No) Please explain

20. Yes. The Harlem Health Promotion Center regularly accepts practicum students, students
looking for internships and recent graduates. The Project Manager, Carly Hutchinson Ph.D,
assigns students projects based on their interests and thereafter provides them with complete
autonomy, allowing them to learn how to manage a public health project on a day to day basis.
Accepted:
Academic Advisor_____________________________________________________
Date______________
Signature
Director of Public
Health Practice________________________________________________________
Date______________
Signature
Credits Granted ______________ Grade_________

21. Appendix A. Sexual/Reproductive Content
The Pill:
o What is it?
 Birth control pills are medication pills women can take daily to prevent
pregnancy.
 Most women take the pills that contain estrogen [EXISTING
HEALTHOPEDIA TERM] and progestin [NEW HEALTHOPEDIA TERM]
called combination pills, but there are pills that only contain progestin.
[INSERT PHOTO HERE]
o How does it work and prevent pregnancy?
 Birth control pills are made of hormones called estrogen [EXISTING
HEALTHOPEDIA TERM] and progestin [EXISTING HEALTHOPEDIA
TERM]. The hormones in the pill work by keeping the eggs from leaving the
ovaries (ovulation). Without ovulation there is no pregnancy.
 These hormones also make the cervical mucus thicker. This keeps sperm from
getting to the eggs.
o How effective is it?
 Combination pills are very effective and work best when taken every day.
 Progestin-only pills must be taken at the same time every day. That keeps the
correct level of hormone in a woman’s body.

22.  Less than 1 out of 100 women will get pregnant each year if they always take
the pill each day as directed.
 About 9 out of 100 women will get pregnant each year if they don’t always
take the pill each day as directed.
 The pill may be slightly less effective for women who are very overweight.
Certain medicines and supplements may make the pill less effective. These include:
o The antibiotic rifampin
o The antifungal griseofulvin
o Certain HIV medicines
o Certain anti-seizure medicines
 Keep in mind the pill doesn’t protect against HIV and sexually transmitted
infections. Use a male or female condom to reduce the risk of infection.
o How safe is it?
You should not take any kind of birth control pill if you:
 Have had breast cancer.
 Think you might be pregnant.
You should not take the combination pill if you:
o Get migraine headaches
o Have certain inherited blood-clotting disorders

23. o Have or are being treated for blood clots or vein inflammation
o Have had a heart attack, stroke, angina, or other serious heart problems
o Have had serious heart valve problems
o Have lupus with certain conditions
o Have serious liver disease or have had liver cancer
o Have very bad diabetes or have had diabetes for longer than 20 years
o Have uncontrolled high blood pressure
o Smoke and are 35 or older
o Smoke and have high blood pressure
o Have had complications after organ transplant
o Need to stay in bed for a long time
o What are the advantages of it?
o Convenient
o Safe & Effective
o Able to regulate the menstrual cycle
o What are the disadvantages of it?
o Decreased sex drive
o Nausea
o Bleeding between periods
o Breast Tenderness

24. o What risks are associated with using birth control pills?
o Deep vein thrombosis
o Heart attack
o Stroke [EXISTING HEALTHOPEDIA TERM]
o Pulmonary Embolism
o How can I get it?
o The pill is provided to you by your physician who conducts a medical
exam and assesses your patient history.
o How do I use it/how long will it last/ (how often to change/renew)
o Always remember to read instructions carefully. However, it is most
common that pills come in packs of 21 or 28. 21 day packs (active)
contain hormones. 28 day packs (reminder) do not contain hormones.
o In 21 day packs, one pill is taken every day for three weeks in a row.
o Then, no pill is taken for the fourth week.
o After the fourth week, the pills are resumed.
o Using 28 day packs, you may get your period during the fourth week, get
no periods or get periods on and off throughout the duration of the month.
o What happens if I don’t use it properly?
o If you don’t use birth control pills properly, there is a high chance that you
could become pregnant.

25. o Always be wary of side effects (ex: breast tenderness, fluid retention,
nausea).
o Always use birth control pills with an alternate form of protection (ex:
condoms)
o How much does it cost?
o Typically, birth control pills range anywhere in price from $0-50.
o What are some problems I might come across while trying to use it?
o Pills may oftentimes cause a slight increase in developing blood clots in
the legs.
o How could I solve any possible problems?
o Find out if anyone in your family has a history of blood clots and report it
to your doctor. Also, if you’re a smoker, try to quit as soon as possible.
o What are the side effects?
o Common side effects include: headaches, depression, change in intensity
of sexual desire and response, vaginal discharge[NEW HEALTHOPEDIA
TERM] , urinary tract infection[NEW HEALTHOPEDIA TERM], change
in breast changes, skin problems and gum inflammation.
Pregnancy [NEW HEALTHOPEDIA TERM]
o What is pregnancy?

26. o Pregnancy happens when a fertilized egg implants in the uterus. After this,
fertilization (egg and the sperm join together) occurs. Then finally,
implantation (egg and the sperm attach to uterus).
o Menstruation- during first two weeks of her cycle, a woman has her
period which usually lasts 3-7 days. After this “cycle”, hormones assist in
helping eggs mature in her ovaries and the lining of her uterus thickens.
o Ovulation- the egg then enters a fallopian tube and starts moving towards
the uterus.
o Fertilization- several hundred sperm travel up through the uterus and into
the fallopian tubes where there is an egg.
o Implantation- the fertilized egg moves down the fallopian tubes, splitting
and forming a ball. If the ball of cells attaches to the lining of the uterus,
pregnancy begins.
[INSERT PHOTO HERE]
 Testing
- Tests are available from either a drugstore or a healthcare provider.
- If the test is positive, you’re pregnant [NEW HEALTHOPEDIA TERM].
- If positive test was taken at home, go to a doctor’s office to confirm the
results.
- If the test is negative, you are not pregnant [NEW HEALTHOPEDIA TERM]
- Sometimes you may have taken the test too early, wait 1-2 days after your
missed period to take another test.

27.  Support (counseling, medical advice)
- There are support groups for expectant mothers and those who are struggling
to get pregnant [NEW HEALTHOPEDIA TERM].
- There are also termination (abortion) clinics for those who don’t want to
complete a pregnancy.
How this information would be organized for each topic within pregnancy:
 How can I get tested to see if I’m pregnant?
 How does this test work?
 Where can I go to get tested?
 How long will it take? When will I get results?
 Other???
Considering Pregnancy
 Only you can decide if and when you are ready. The right time to have a child
is different for everyone.
 Speak with a doctor and genetic counselor to see if pregnancy is right for you.
 Remember, parenting is a lifelong commitment.
Pre-Pregnancy Health
 Good nutrition, exercise, and healthy lifestyle choices are important before
and during pregnancy.

28.  Schedule an appointment with your healthcare provider before getting
pregnant.
 Look for a prenatal care provider before your pregnancy.
Pregnancy Test
 Available at a drugstore or healthcare provider.
 If positive, see your doctor.
Pregnancy Options
 Three options to think about: abortion [NEW HEALTHOPEDIA TERM],
adoption and parenting.
 It’s important to weigh the benefits and risks of each option.
Prenatal Care
 Regular doctor check-ups are important for a healthy pregnancy [NEW
HEALTHOPEDIA TERM].
 Prenatal testing is also very important.
 Best to begin as soon as you know you are pregnant [NEW
HEALTHOPEDIA TERM].
Miscarriage
 Usually caused by a genetic problem or other problem with the way the
embryo or fetus develops.
Ectopic Pregnancy
 Fertilized egg implants outside of the uterus [EXISTING HEALTHOPEDIA
TERM].

29.  Symptoms include cramps, vaginal bleeding and nausea [NEW
HEALTHOPEDIA TERM].
Infertility
 Inability to get pregnant [NEW HEALTHOPEDIA TERM] after having
unprotected vaginal intercourse over the course of a year OR an inability to
stay pregnant for the length of a normal pregnancy.
 Both men and women can be infertile for different reasons; however, there are
treatments for available.
Abortion
 Only you know if an abortion [NEW HEALTHOPEDIA TERM] is right for
you. Consider the consequences and the benefits of an abortion[NEW
HEALTHOPEDIA TERM] .

30. Appendix B. PDF for Stakeholders
An Overview of Project STAY (Services to Assist Youth) Programming
(To be located on STAY website as a PDF that is easily accessible for funder and
partner downloads)
A. Background
Project STAY (Services to Assist Youth) is a program of the Harlem Health Promotion
Center (HHPC), a grant-funded research center. HHPC is housed within the
Department of Sociomedical Sciences at the Columbia University Mailman
School of Public Health. HHPC works with community leaders, academic
scholars and public health professionals with the aim of serving the Harlem
community. Project STAY provides direct health services for high-risk and HIV-
positive adolescents and young adults ages 13 to 24. The service has two arms: A
Specialized Care Center (SCC) and a Youth Access Program.
The Specialized Care Center supports youth through interactions with medical providers,
social workers, health educators and other support staff who provide medical and
psychosocial services for teens and young adults living with HIV/AIDS in and
around NYC. The Youth Access Program assists adolescents by providing teens
contact with direct healthcare and outreach specialists such as medical providers,
social workers and trained health educators. These adolescent health specialists
provide outreach, education, and counseling in community settings on various
health topics, including sexual and reproductive health. YAP staff also provides

31. on-site testing for sexually transmitted infections and HIV. They also link clients
to care at youth-friendly clinics in New York City.
B. Program types
a. -HIV Positive Youth
Being Project STAY’s clinical arm, HIV/AIDS sufferers living in or near Manhattan are
provided healthcare services to suit their needs. Physicians, social workers and
health educators compose the team of professionals who deliver services at New
York Presbyterian Hospital’s Ambulatory Care Center.
b. SCC
i. -High Risk Youth and STIs/Reproductive health
Our Specialized Care Center (SCC) provides a medical home for vulnerable youth who
are HIV at-risk or infected. It is staffed by physicians, nurse practitioners, social
workers and health educators specifically trained in adolescent care.
c. YAP
i. -Justice Involved Youth
Our Youth Access Program (YAP) provides outreach, education and testing for STIs and
HIV. Graduate students are trained as health educators. They provide sexual
health workshops for young people in community settings, conduct risk-
assessments for STIs and HIV, and provide brief risk-reduction counseling.
d. LGBTQ
i. Men who have sex with men (MSMs)

32. Project STAY works with a variety of schools and organizations that focus on serving
lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer young people. Some of the
organizations that we have had a long-standing relationship with include:
 Hetrick Martin Institute (HMI)
 SafePlace
 Trinity Place Shelter
 Ali Forney Center
 Programs for High Risk Youth
 Phipps Houses
 Bronx Works
e. -Technology and health education
C. Benefits to the field of Medicine and Public Health
a. Workforce Development
i. Clinical
Over the past two years, HHPC’s Project STAY has worked with the Columbia
University School of Nursing to develop a strong partnership that has allowed
more than 20 nursing students to volunteer or intern at HHPC. Some of those
students have been engaged with our research intervention in Harlem, while
others have been able to gain valuable experience in direct service through work
at STAY’s clinics. Additionally, students interested in a career in medicine have
also been involved with Project STAY, gaining important experience by
shadowing medical personnel, assisting with clinical evaluations and participating
in various aspects of patient care

33. ii. Public Health
The attainment of practical skills to effectively engage in serving the public health
needs—whether it be as a public health practitioner, doctor, nurse, pharmacist,
health educator, or in some other related field−is a keen challenge for students.
Both graduate and undergraduate coursework often provides theoretical
background, but little opportunity to apply knowledge in practical ways.
In an effort to bridge this gap between academic training and community needs,
Columbia University’s Harlem Health Promotion Center (HHPC) utilizes student
collaborators from fields as diverse as public health, health informatics, nutrition,
health promotion, journalism and pharmacy in a structured skill-building and
workforce development format that is hard for many students to find through
traditional internships and volunteer experiences.
Student collaborators have had transformative effects on HHPC as well as the Harlem
and Upper Manhattan communities. HHPC’s student collaborator model provides
advantages for all involved and has the potential to be replicated widely. One
prime benefit to organizations for engaging in this model is that collaborations
with students expand organizational capacity as students are engaged in
meaningful, hands- on aspects of almost every area of our programming.
Workforce training also provides students from national and international
universities and colleges with practical experiences in the following areas:
• Developing meaningful working relationships with community members as well
as with partners at the stakeholder level through engagement with the network of

34. community-based organizations we have long-standing relationships with, as well
as our district and city public health offices and other public officials.
• Learning how research interventions are conceived, developed, implemented, and
evaluated on the ground from engagement in every aspect of this process with our
staff.
• Gaining unique exposure to and experience with health communications and
health literacy through a variety of health communications vehicles from a
groundbreaking community health website, to an array of ongoing
communications with community members and stakeholders.
• Learning how to form meaningful relationships with healthcare consumers that set
the tone for how they will function as healthcare providers as their careers
progress.
iii. Health Education
The recognition that educating communities about public health issues requires a very
specific set of skills and knowledge that has been growing significantly over the
past several years. This is evidenced by the recent trend in professional
certification in health education (e.g. Certified Health Education Specialist).
These types of certification have developed national standards for the health
education profession. Gaining competency in this field, however, is best suited to
gaining practical experience.
iv. Practicums and Internships

35. HHPC offers a unique opportunity for public health students and others interested in
careers in health-related professions to gain experience in health communications
through their interactions with a variety of communications vehicles outlined
below. As health literacy is a major focus for all communications efforts, working
at HHPC is an important way for students to gain first-hand practical experience
implementing any theoretical knowledge they may have gained on this topic. A
public health student could expect to gain:
• Hands-on experience in helping to develop health education strategies,
interventions, and programs.
• Gaining in-depth knowledge of a given community or population in order to
provide meaningful educational information and resources.
• Keen communications skills including one-on-one counseling and public speaking
to large groups.
• Learning about evaluating the impact of health education programming.
• Gaining skills in administration and logistical aspects of health education
programming.
• Working knowledge of disease states and clinical treatments.
Appendix C. Resources
STAY Community Resources
- Shelters
Grand Central Neighborhood Social Services Corporation

36. 120 E 32nd St.
New York City, NY 10017
(212) 818-1220
Holy Apostles Soup Kitchen
296 Ninth Ave.
New York City, NY 10001
(212) 924-0167
New York City 30th Street Intake for Homeless Men
400 East 30th Street
New York, NY 10016
212-607-6141
Church of the BlessedSacrament Transitional Residence
152 West 71st Street,
New York, N.Y. 10023
212-877-3111
New York City Rescue Mission
90 Lafayette St.
New York, NY 10013

37. (212) 226-6214
BRC
131 West 25th Street
12th Floor
New York, NY 10001
Convent Family Living Center
34 W 129th St.
New York, NY
(212) 866-7816
Create Inc.
133 W 128th St.
New York, NY
(212) 662-2000
- Food Pantries
The Bowery Mission
227 Bowery
New York, NY 10002

38. 212-674-3456
Kennedy Center
34 West 134th St.
New York, NY 10037
Iris House
2271 2nd Ave
New York, NY 10035
212-423-9049
God’s Love We Deliver
166 Avenue of The Americas
New York, NY 10013
212-294-8102
Cathedral Community Cares
1047 Amsterdam Ave.
New York, NY 10025
212-316-7582
Canaan Senior Service Center
10 Lenox Ave.
New York, NY 10026

39. 212-289-1039
Broadway Community Inc.
610 W. 114th St.
New York, NY 10025
212-222-6257
A New Beginning International Ministry
180 E. 118th St
New York, NY 10035
212-987-4319
- DV Resources
Safe Horizon Shelters
Domestic Violence Hotline (800) 621-4673 (HOPE)
Rape & Sexual Assault (212) 227-3000
Center against Domestic Violence
25 Chapel St, Suite 904
Brooklyn, NY 11201
(718) 254- 9134
Henry Street Settlement
265 Henry Street
New York, NY 10002
(212) 766-9200

40. Streetwork Harlem Drop-In Center
209 West 125th St,
New York, NY 10027
(212) 695- 2220
Streetwork Lower East Side Drop-In Center
33 Essex St,
New York, NY 10002
(646) 602-6404
Mount Sinai Sexual Assault and Violence Intervention (SAVI) Program
1468 Madison Avenue
New York, NY 10029
(212) 423- 2140
- General Resources
Harlem Hospital Center
506 Lenox Ave.
New York, NY 10037
(212) 939-1000
harlemhospitalcenter@nychhc.org

41. Harlem Dowling Westside Center for Children and Family Services
2090 Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Boulevard
New York, NY 10029
voice: (212) 749-3656
fax: (212) 749-9539
www.harlemdowling.org
Central Harlem STD Clinic New York City Department of Health
Bureau of Sexually Transmitted Disease Control
2238 Fifth Avenue, Third Floor
New York, NY 10037
voice: (212) 690-1760/1762
fax: (212) 862-9627
www.ci.nyc.ny.us/html/doh/home.html
Inwood Community Services
651 Academy Street
New York, NY 10037
voice: (212) 942-0043
fax: (646) 349-1409
VIDA Family Services
205 East 117th Street
New York, NY 10035
voice: (212) 289-2527

42. fax: (212) 289-5231
Appendix D. Healthopedia terms
NEW HEALTHOPEDIA TERMS:
Family planning- is the action of individuals anticipating the birth of a child, their
desired number of children and the spacing and timing of their births.
Birth control: SEE NEW HEALTHOPEDIA TERM IN FINAL STI CONENT
Contraception- methods or devices used to prevent pregnancy.
Barrier Methods- methods of birth control that prevent the sperm from entering
the uterus.
Cervical cap- silicone based cup that is inserted into the vagina.

43. Vagina- female body part that connects the womb and the cervix to the outside of
the body.
Pregnancy- the period from conception to birth.
Sperm- cell produced by a male for the purpose of reproduction.
Spermicide- chemical substance that immobilizes sperm due.
Intercourse- vaginal or anal penetration, fellatio or penetration by persons
regardless of sex.
Latex- A contraceptive made from natural rubber.
Infection- the process where tiny living things (organisms) get into your body and
start multiplying.
Vulva- the outer genital organs of the female.
Silicone- manmade product used to make everything from plumbing materials to
breast implants and various forms of contraceptives.
Toxic Shock Syndrome- A serious but rare infection caused by staph and strep
bacteria.
Reproductive Tract Infection- Infections of the reproductive tract that are
responsible for high numbers of deaths and diseases around the world. Examples
include: HIV, HPV, chlamydia and gonorrhea.
Abortion- Ending a pregnancy before the fetus can live outside the mother.
Menstruation- Having a “period.”
Breastfeeding- the normal way of providing young infants with the nutrients they
need for healthy growth and development.
Spermicide- barrier method of birth control that comes in foam, jelly or cream.

44. Health care provider- a provider of medical or health services.
Spotting- brown or pink stains on undergarments at the end of one’s period.
Diaphragm- is the primary muscle used in inhalation.
Urinary Tract Infections- infection anywhere in the urinary tract (kidneys, ureters,
bladder and urethra).
Anal intercourse- anal (butt) penetration.
Anus- the opening where bowel movements are released.
Pre-cum- (pre-ejaculate fluid) - A clear liquid at the top of the penis when a man
is aroused. Helps neutralize the urethra’s acidity, protecting sperm that will pass
through the urethra for ejaculation.
Semen- natural male reproductive fluid created during ejaculation.
Tampon- plug of absorbent material inserted into a body cavity or wound to stop
or absorb secretions.
Clitoris- tip of a branching interior of erectile tissue that runs down towards the
vaginal opening.
Polyurethane- condoms made with a type of plastic that are a good alternative for
people allergic to latex.
Herpes- A common sexually transmitted disease (STD) that anyone can become
infected with. One can become infected if they have had vaginal, anal or oral sex
with someone who has the disease.
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) - Infection of a woman’s reproductive organs.
Complication caused by some STD’s, such as chlamydia.

45. Trichomoniasis- an STD caused by a parasite. One of the most common STD’s,
however very easily curable.
Erection- hardening of the penis that occurs when sponge-like tissue inside the
penis fills up with blood.
Douche- washing or cleaning out the vagina with water or other mixture of fluids.
Lubricant- A substance, oil or jelly-based used to lessen friction during sexual
activity.
Pull-out- Often referred to as “coitus interruptus,” means ejecting penis from
vagina prior to ejaculation.
Germs- Microscopic bacteria, viruses, fungi and protozoa that can cause disease.
Medicaid- joint federal and state program that assists some limited income
individuals with medical costs.
Progestin- A form of progesterone, a hormone that plays a role in the menstrual
cycle and pregnancy.
Cushing’s Syndrome- the body has abnormally high levels of cortisol in the blood
caused by a pituitary tumor.
Sex drive- A physiological need for sexual activity.
Headache- Any pain in the region of the head. May be a sharp pain, throbbing
sensation or a dull pain.
Nausea- An unpleasant feeling in the back of your throat and stomach that may
lead to vomiting.
Medical History- A record of health information about a person and his or her
close relatives.

46. Physical exam- A healthcare provider studies a patient’s body to determine if a
physical problem is present.
Organ Transplant- an operation that places an organ from a healthy person into
your body.
Migraine- an intense, throbbing pain on one or sometimes both sides of the head.
Pelvic Floor Muscles- muscles located between your legs, and from your pubic
bone at the front to the base of your spine at the back.
Acne- pores on your skin become blocked with oil, dead skin cells or bacteria.
Cysts- a closed pocket under the skin filled with air, fluid or other material.
Ectopic Pregnancy- fertilized egg implants somewhere other than the main cavity
of the uterus.
Iron deficiency anemia- common type of condition that occurs where blood lacks
adequate, healthy red blood cells.
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease- infection of a woman’s reproductive organs caused
by complications such as certain STD’s like chlamydia and gonorrhea.
Vomiting- the forceful emptying of the contents of the stomach.
Nausea- uneasy or unsettled feeling in the stomach together with an urge to vomit.
Discharge- any fluid that comes out of the penis or vagina.
Infection- problem that occurs when organisms get into your body and start
multiplying.
Irritation- the bringing of a body part to an abnormally excited or sensitive
condition.

47. Jaundice- yellow color of the skin and whites of the eyes that happens when there
is too much bilirubin, a byproduct of the breakdown of red blood cells, in the
blood.
Aura- onset of feelings and symptoms shortly before a headache begins.
Lump- protuberance or localized area of swelling that can occur anywhere on the
body.
Family planning, contraception, barrier methods, cervical cap, vagina, pregnancy,
sperm, spermicide, intercourse, latex, infection, vulva, silicone, toxic shock
syndrome, reproductive tract infection, abortion, menstruation, breastfeeding,
spermicide, health care provider, spotting, diaphragm, urinary tract infections,
anal intercourse, anus, pre-cum, semen, tampon, clitoris, polyurethane, Herpes,
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID), Trichomoniasis, erection, douche, lubricant,
pull-out, germs, Medicaid, Progestin, Cushing’s Syndrome, sex drive, headache,
nausea, medical history, physical exam, organ transplant, migraine, pelvic floor
muscles, acne, cysts, ectopic pregnancy, iron deficiency anemia, pelvic
inflammatory disease, vomiting, nausea, discharge, infection, irritation, jaundice,
aura, lump