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Abstract #159710

Joan M. Hall, LPC, NCC, CAS, PhD, Health Psychology Student, Walden University, 1515 Jefferson Davis Highway, Apt. 203, Arlington, VA 22202, 202-442-1151, joan_hall59@hotmail.com, William B. Disch, PhD, School of Psychology, Walden University, 7 Main St., Wickford, RI 02852, Sandra Rasmussen, PhD RN LMHC CAS, Faculty, Psychology and Public Health, Walden University, 9343 Pamunkey Crest Drive, Mechanicsville, VA 23111, and Brent L. Maguire, PhD, Faculty, School of Psychology, Walden University, 2536 Eastern Blvd., #186, York, PA 17402.

A dearth of research exists on out-of-treatment drug users with co-occurring HIV despite the inextricable link between these two health problems and ongoing transmission of HIV. This study examined the predictive strength, quality, and nature of factors associated with readiness to change drug use among out-of-treatment HIV-positive drug-users. Understanding factors that influence readiness to change drug use will aid in the development of effective public health and outreach strategies for engaging this under-served population to affect change in their drug use and thus reduce potential for continued engagement in high risk behaviors that contribute to ongoing HIV transmission. Data were obtained from 165 participants from Alabama, Tennessee, and Georgia using a self-report instrument that included brief demographics and drug use questionnaires, Leeds Dependence Questionnaire, Drug Abstinence Self-Efficacy Scale, Multidimensional Health Locus of Control Scale, University of Rhode Island Change Assessment, and last known CD4+ cell count. Significant positive relationships existed between internal health locus of control, drug use severity, and readiness to change. Significant negative relationships existed between drug abstinence self-efficacy, HIV severity, and readiness to change. Multiple regression analyses indicated that IHLoC, drug abstinence self-efficacy, and HIV severity correctly predicted 14.9% of the variance in readiness to change. Finally, drug use severity had a significant moderating effect on self-efficacy. Follow-up analyses revealed that African American participants scored significantly higher than Caucasian participants on readiness to change.

Learning Objectives:

• This session will enable participants to identify factors associated with readiness to change among out-of-treatment drug users living with HIV.
• This session will inform participants about methodological areas for consideration in future research on this previously regarded hard to reach population.
• This session will discuss other factors to consider in future research on HIV+ out-of-treatment drug users.
• This session will inform participants of how more research in this area may be used in developing effective strategies to improve individual and public health.

Keywords: Substance Abuse, HIV/AIDS

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.