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Abstract #159320

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Sherry Deren, PhD, Sung-Yeon Kang, PhD, Milton Mino, and Honoria Guarino, PhD. Center for Drug Use and HIV Research, National Development and Research Institutes, 71 West 23rd Street, 8th Floor, New York, NY 10010, 202-845-4400, sherry.deren@ndri.org

Background: Research has shown that there is a need to reduce HIV risk behavior among drug users who used drugs in Puerto Rico (PR), and that peers are highly effective in conducting outreach to users. Methods: 81 Puerto Rican patients were recruited in 4 methadone clinics in NY. Criteria included: bilingual and previously used heroin or cocaine in PR (or had family/friends who did). Clients from 2 clinics (n=40) were randomly assigned to be trained and to conduct peer outreach (for 12 weeks); 2 clinics (n=41) were comparisons. Data were collected at baseline (T1), after outreach ended (T2), and 6 months later (T3). Results: Of those assigned to Outreach condition, 26 (65%) completed training and conducted outreach. Analyses compared them with trends for: those who did not complete the outreach program, and the comparisons. At T2- 100% of those who completed training were still in MMTP (compared to 80% and 89% of the two other groups), and were more likely to report talking with others about HIV (e.g., 48% talked with drug users vs 30% and 31%); they were also more likely to have engaged in vocational activities (16% vs 0% and 6%). At T3, these differences were not sustained. Qualitative interviews with peers indicated that while the intervention was beneficial, participants became discouraged after the project ended. Conclusions: Training MMTP clients as outreach workers is a promising approach to enhancing their vocational progress. However, methods to provide on-going support, within the clinic setting, are needed to sustain gains made.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify the advantages and disadvantages of training drug treatment clients in conducting HIV-related outreach.
• Develop a program to train drug treatment clients to conduct outreach.
• Discuss support services which may be needed to help maintain gains achieved by clients who have completed outreach training.

Keywords: Drug Abuse Treatment, Community Outreach

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No
Any institutionally-contracted trials related to this submission?

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

• Slides (pdf) or Handout
• Multimedia recording