An evaluation of a brief HIV risk reduction intervention using empirically derived drug use and sexual risk indices

Mark Williams, Virginia McCoy, Anne Bowen, Lori Saunders, Freeman Robert, Danyang Chen

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

12 Scopus citations

Abstract

This paper presents the results of an evaluation of a brief, educational HIV risk reduction intervention implemented in a community setting. Participants were 7,733 not-in-treatment drug users. Multi-item needle and sex risk measures were developed to assess the efficacy of the intervention. Behavior change was assessed within 6 empirically derived homogeneous risk groups. Drug users in all 6 groups reduced their needle use and sexual risks after participating in the brief educational intervention. Sexual risks were reduced to a greater extent than were risks associated with needle use, both in relative terms and when measured as a percentage of risk exhibited at intake. Brief educational interventions may be more effective in reducing sexual risk behaviors than it was previously believed. Needle risk, on the other hand, appears to be more robust, especially among high frequency cocaine injectors. Theses findings suggest that HIV prevention strategies may be more effective and more efficient if drug users are triaged into an intervention appropriate to their level of needle risk.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)31-43
Number of pages13
JournalAIDS and Behavior
Volume5
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 2001

Keywords

  • AIDS
  • Crack users
  • HIV risk behaviors
  • HIV risk reduction interventions
  • Injection drug users

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Social Psychology
  • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
  • Infectious Diseases

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