Background: This network oriented HIV prevention intervention sought to train individuals in the IDU community to promote HIV prevention within their networks and in their neighborhoods. Methods: Participants recruited in Baltimore, Maryland, US, through targeted snowball sampling were randomly assigned to either a 10-sessions experimental intervention, which included training in teaching others risk reduction, or a 10-session attention control condition. Eligibility included 18 years of age and recruiting network members. Participants were administered a baseline and 8-month follow-up survey. Follow-up rates exceeded 85%. Results: With 2:1 random assignment, the 180 experimental and 93 controls recruited 305 network members; 20% were HIV+ and 43% were female. Analyses were based on an intent to treat model. At follow-up, participants in the experimental group, as compared to those in the attention control condition, reported greater reduction is sharing of needles that had not been cleaned (Chi-Square=6.7, p<.05) and sharing of cookers (MH Chi-Square=4.3, p<.05). There was also a marginal decrease in reports of sharing cotton (MH Chi-Square=2.9, p<.10). Conclusions: The data from this study suggest that promoting peer education within the injection drug community may be an effective method of reducing HIV-related injection behaviors.
Learning Objectives: To describe peer-based HIV intervention to enhance prevention and communication skills
Keywords: HIV Interventions, Drug Injectors
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.