Sexual risk reduction among non-injection drug users: Report of a randomized controlled trial

Delivette Castor, Daniel J. Pilowsky, Bernadette Hadden, Crystal Fuller, Danielle C. Ompad, Cora L. De Leon, Greg Neils, Lori Hoepner, Howard F. Andrews, Carl Latkin, Donald R. Hoover

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

11 Scopus citations

Abstract

We conducted a randomized controlled trial of a sexual risk-reduction intervention targeting non-injection drug users (NIDUs) and members of their drug-use/sexual networks (N=270). The intervention was based primarily on the social-influencing approach, and was delivered in four sessions. Sexual risk behaviors were examined at baseline, and 3, 6, 9, and 12 months after the completion of the intervention using the vaginal equivalent episodes (VEE), a weighted sexual risk behavior index. VEE scores decreased in both the active and control conditions in the first six months post-intervention and continued to decline in the control group. However, in the active condition, VEE scores increased after the nine-month assessment and approached baseline levels by the 12-month assessment. There was no evidence of significant differences in high-risk sexual behaviors between the intervention and control conditions. Future studies are needed to improve behavioral interventions in this population.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)62-70
Number of pages9
JournalAIDS Care - Psychological and Socio-Medical Aspects of AIDS/HIV
Volume22
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 2010

Keywords

  • Non-injecting drug users
  • Sexual risk behaviors
  • Social networks

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Health(social science)
  • Social Psychology
  • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Sexual risk reduction among non-injection drug users: Report of a randomized controlled trial'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this