WOMEN CENTERED HIV RISK REDUCTION RESEARCH STUDY

This study will develop, implement, and evaluate an innovative women- centered HIV risk reduction intervention that is constructed from a feminist theoretical perspective. The study will enroll an ethnically diverse sample of out-of-treatment female injection drug users (IDUs), crack cocaine users (CcUs) and drug and non-drug using female sexual partners of injection drug users (FsPs). The study will be conducted in three phases: 1) a model development phase; 2) an implementation phase; and 3) a data analysis phase. The specific aims of the study are to: 1) develop HIV risk assessment instruments appropriate for females; 2) develop and implement a theory based innovated women-centered intervention; 3) assess the efficacy of the intervention; 4) assess how gender specific economic, psychosocial, and political factors impact HIV risk behavior; 5) conduct a qualitative study to gain increased understanding of the ethnic/cultural factors that impact women's risk behaviors; and 6) analyze, interpret, confirm and disseminate the results of the study. Women will be randomized to either a basic intervention (typical level of care) or a women's-centered intervention consisting of additional sessions and components that address gender specific issues related to women at risk for HIV. A baseline, and 6 and 12 month follow-up assessments will be administered so that changes in behavior can be observed, and the efficacy of the women's-centered intervention can be assessed.