243143 Education and counseling intervention effective in increasing HIV and hepatitis knowledge among drug users

Wednesday, November 2, 2011: 10:30 AM

Sandra Larios, PhD, MPH , Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
Carmen L. Masson, PhD , Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
Kevin L. Delucchi, PhD , Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
Stephen Dominy, MD , Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
Mandana Khalili, MD , Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology/Hepatology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
Jessica Hall, BS , Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
Courtney McKnight, MPH , Baron Edmond de Rothschild Chemical Dependency Institute, Beth Israel Medical Center, New York, NY
Ashly E. Jordan, BA , Baron Edmond de Rothschild Chemical Dependency Institute, Beth Israel Medical Center, New York, NY
Christopher Young, BA , Baron Edmond de Rothschild Chemical Dependency Institute, Beth Israel Medical Center, New York, NY
Randy M. Seewald, MD , Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Medical Center, New York, NY
James L. Sorensen, PhD , Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
Don C. Des Jarlais, PhD , Baron Edmond de Rothschild Chemical Dependency Institute, Beth Israel Medical Center, New York, NY
David C. Perlman, MD , Baron Edmond de Rothschild Chemical Dependency Institute, Beth Israel Medical Center, New York, NY
Background: Knowledge of HIV and hepatitis viruses A, B, and C is low among drug users (DUs). Effective education can potentially promote preventive measures and engagement in care. Methods: As part of a two-site randomized clinical trial of an intervention to promote hepatitis A/B vaccination and HCV clincial evaluations among DUs, participants were given a manual-guided two-session education and counseling intervention focused on HIV and hepatitis. HIV and hepatitis knowledge tests were administered at baseline (pre-test) and immediately following (post-test) each of two education sessions. Repeated measures ANOVA's were performed to determine the intervention's short-term impact. Results: Our sample (N=488) was 31% Hispanic, 29% African American, 36% Caucasian; 68% male. At pre-test participants scored lowest on knowledge of hepatitis A (Mean=58.88% SD=18.12) and highest on HIV (Mean=83.91% SD=11.05). A total mean knowledge score for all four viruses combined increased significantly (p<.001). Knowledge of HIV and hepatitis A, B, and C increased significantly from pre- to post-test for both education sessions (HIV Session 1: p<.001, Session 2: p<.05; hepatitis A Session 1: p<.001, Session 2: p<.001; hepatitis B Session 1: p<.001, Session 2: p<.001; hepatitis C Session 1: p<.05; Session 2: p<.001). Regression analyses showed that drug use severity was related to lower improvements in knowledge of HIV for both sessions (Session 1: <.05; Session 2 = p<.05), but not for the hepatitis viruses. Conclusions: A two-session HIV/hepatitis education model can be effective and implemented in methadone treatment settings.

Learning Areas:
Implementation of health education strategies, interventions and programs
Social and behavioral sciences

Learning Objectives:
Identify correlates of changes in knowledge of HIV and viral hepatitis among drug users. Describe ways to increase knowledge of HIV and viral hepatitis among vulnerable populations.

Keywords: Communicable Disease, Education

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am qualified to present on this topic because I have worked extensively with injection drug users and I am knowledgeable about interventions developed to address their needs. In addition, I have training in infectious diseases and in hepatitis transmission and treatments.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

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