A collaborative model among injection drug users, a capacity building assistance organization and behavioral scientists in adapting and pilot-testing an HIV prevention evidence-based intervention curricula for native drug users

American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/AN) have one of the highest prevalence of alcohol, substance abuse and dependence in comparison with other race and ethnic groups in the U.S. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) supports efforts to reduce the incidence of HIV risk among AI/AN populations, however currently no published research on efficacious interventions has been identified for AI/AN by CDC. To bridge this gap, the Diffusion of Effective Behavioral Interventions project (DEBI) at CDC, in collaboration with a national Native American Capacity Building Assistance (CBA) partner, adapted a drug related evidence-based (EBI) HIV prevention intervention. Results involved the formation of a AI/AN drug user working group to help in: a) Assessment and selection of an HIV prevention intervention that may be adapted and thus appropriate for AI/AN drug users; b) Content analysis and assessment of intervention activities and training protocols appropriate to AI/AN cultural milieu; c) Guidance in piloting the adapted materials with agencies that serve AI/AN populations; and d) Collaboration with CDC scientists and the principal investigator of the intervention. Conclusions: Collaboration between the AI/AN IDU Working Group, CBA partner and CDC scientists and researchers clearly provided guidance in the process of EBI assessment and selection, cultural appropriate content and in keeping fidelity to the original intervention. Further operational research needs to be considered to evaluate the implementation processes, protocols and outcomes of this project (i.e., implementation of the adaptation) among various AI/AN drug using populations and the agencies that meet their HIV prevention needs.