Objectives: Efforts to study HIV risk behaviors in the same ethnic group in different locations must incorporate assessment of environmental as well as individual influences. This paper will examine the utility of the PRECEDE model, which identifies 3 types of multi-level influences on health behaviors: Predisposing (motivators, e.g., perceived chance of becoming infected); Enabling (skills/conditions, e.g., self-efficacy to change risk behaviors, pooling money to buy drugs); and Reinforcing (anticipated consequences, e.g., peer norms). Methods: Data were based on 673 HIV negative Puerto Rican injection drug users, 433 in New York, 240 in Puerto Rico. Analyses were conducted separately for NY and PR, dependent variable was frequency of sharing others' injection paraphernalia (prior 30 days). Hierarchical multiple regression was used to assess the influence of PRECEDE-based factors. Results: The preliminary PRECEDE model accounted for 33% and 43% of the variance in frequency of sharing other's paraphernalia among NYC and PR IDUs, respectively. Different patterns of influences emerged in the two sites. For ex., low self-efficacy was a significant main effect predictor (enabler) of greater sharing in both locations. However, in PR this influence was greater among individuals who pooled their money with others to buy drugs (an enabler); in NY, the influence of low self-efficacy was reduced among people who perceived the greatest risk for HIV (a negative predisposition). Conclusions: The PRECEDE model, as a heuristic device to study determinants of risk behaviors in comparative studies, can help identify differences in influences on risk behaviors, to assist in targeting interventions.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant in this session will be able to: 1. Describe the three components of the PRECEDE model and their influences on health behaviors. 2. Identify various types of injection-related risk behaviors among injection drug users. 3. Discuss differences in individual and environmental influences on HIV risk behaviors and the utility of the PRECEDE model in understanding these influences
Keywords: HIV Risk Behavior, Injection Drug Users
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.