Recorded presentation

Erica L. Gollub, DrPH¹, Delinda Mercer, PhD², Tamara Y. Boney, MS¹, Kay A. Armstrong, MS³, Sumedha Chhatre, PhD¹, Katina Mackey, BA¹, Antonella Lavelanet, BA¹, and David Metzger, PhD¹. (1) Center for Studies of Addiction, University of Pennsylvania, 3535 Market St, Philadelphia, PA 19104, 215-746-7355, elgollub@aol.com, (2) Consultant, 3409 16th Avenue, Scottsbluff, NE 69361, (3) Public Health Consultant, 645 Harper Ave, Drexel Hill, PA 19026

Background: BESTBET, a randomized trial, tests a “body empowerment”, 5-session intervention based on increasing knowledge, familiarity and comfort with the body, emphasizing women’s protection methods like the female condom (FC), peer counseling and women’s solidarity. Methods: Data from the first 15 months of follow-up (FU) (N=155) are presented. Recruitment was conducted via mobile van. Enrollment criteria targeted both active drug use and risky sex behaviors. Audio-CASI was used to collect risk data. Results: At baseline, 54% reported smoking crack > 1x/day and 40% reported recent injection behavior. Of injectors, 46% reported > daily use of heroin. 76% had exchanged sex for money, starting at age 9. No significant differences existed between control (Ct) or intervention (In) groups in these behaviors. Few women reported male-condom (MC) or FC protected vaginal sex acts with primary partners (PP; Ct 6%, In 7%, p=0.72)) or with non-primary HIV negative partners (NPHN; Ct 29%, In 17%; p=0.12). At 6-mo FU large differences existed between groups for PP (Ct 16%, In 40%, p=0.000) and for NPHN (Ct 44%, In 64%, p=0.20). Both arms demonstrated increases over time for PP and NPHN, being only statistically significant for intervention subjects (PP, p=.000; NPHN, p=.002). Both MC and FC use accounted for observed increases. Conclusions: Important gains in protection with both types of partners were observed at 6-mo FU. Focusing on basic body knowledge and women’s methods of prevention, in a confidential, woman-only setting is appropriate and important for drug-using women to reduce risk of HIV and STD.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand the components of the BestBET intervention and their effect on reducing sexual risk behavior of drug-using women. Learn more about women's methods of protection.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
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.

Recorded presentation