Implementing a peer educator program in methadone maintenance for HIV prevention and women's reproductive health

Issues: Drug-involved women are at high risk for HIV, STIs, cervical cancer, and complicated pregnancies yet are challenging to engage in prevention and care. One engagement strategy is to enlist peer educators to deliver prevention and service navigation interventions.

Description: Project GROW (Giving Resources and Options to Women) serves women enrolled in a methadone maintenance treatment program (MMTP). Our MMTP provides on-site HIV, routine gynecologic, and primary care. Project GROW offers group HIV prevention groups, reproductive health counseling, and service navigation to off-site prenatal or gynecologic care. Once completing our HIV prevention series, interested female program clients can undergo training in group facilitation, active listening skills, women's health, and service navigation. Trained GROW Peers facilitate HIV prevention groups and accompany MMTP clients to off-site prenatal and gynecologic appointments. Peers also participate in a monthly support group. They receive a stipend for each activity. To date, 17 clients have become GROW Peers and have delivered 353 services.

Lessons Learned: Implementing a peer educator program focused on HIV prevention and women's health is feasible within an MMTP. Feedback from peers indicates that stipends and an ongoing support group promote retention. MMTP clients are receptive to working with peers, and accept them as group leaders and escorts to appointments. GROW peers report relying on each other for support in staying healthy.

Recommendations: Implementing a peer-led women's HIV prevention program in an MMTP program is possible, can engage clients, and provide supportive services to promote healthy behaviors among peers themselves and fellow MMTP clients.