Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #109058

Susan Rubinstein, MPH, Michelle Teti, MPH, and Linda E. Lloyd, PhD. School of Public Health, Drexel University, Mail Stop 660, 245 N. 15th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102, 215-762-7031, slr532@drexel.edu

Background: Protect and Respect is a Special Project of National Significance (SPNS) designed to decrease sexual risk behaviors among HIV-infected women in clinical care. The objective of this inquiry is to investigate Protect and Respect participants' risk perceptions and beliefs regarding secondary HIV transmission and re-infection.

Methods: Participants (n=270) in this intervention research project receive prevention messages from clinicians; half also participate in a group-level-intervention and peer-led support groups. Participants complete assessments that include measures of beliefs about re-infection, concerns about unprotected sex, and perceived risk of transmitting HIV to someone else.

Results: Preliminary results from baseline data (n=92) show that although more than half the participants (64%) reported being concerned about re-infection, many reported that they are not worried that they could have infected someone else with HIV in the last 6 months (65%). Most participants did not believe that they will eventually give HIV to someone else (74%). Seventy-five percent of participants reported that they have not risked infecting someone through sex because of combination HIV drug treatments, but fewer reported that the availability of these drugs has caused them to be less concerned about infecting someone (55%) or less worried about having unprotected sex (42%).

Conclusions: These women appear to be more concerned about re-infection than about transmitting HIV to others. For some, the availability of combination drug treatments contributes to lessened concerns. Prevention interventions with HIV-infected women should offer education about drug treatments, the risks of secondary transmission and re-infection.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to

• Describe the Protect and Respect project.
• Articulate project participants' beliefs and perceptions of risk related to re-infection and secondary transmission.
• Discuss how beliefs and risk perceptions should influence the design of prevention programs for people living with HIV.

Keywords: HIV Interventions, Prevention

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.

Recorded presentation