Reducing HIV needle risk behaviors among injection-drug users in the Midwest: an evaluation of the efficacy of standard and enhanced interventions
Siegal, H.A.; Falck, R.S.; Carlson, R.G.; Wang, J.
Aids Education and Prevention Official Publication of the International Society for Aids Education 7(4): 308-319
1995
ISSN/ISBN: 0899-9546 PMID: 7577307 Document Number: 448287
This study compares the impact of a standard and an enhanced intervention on the needle-use behaviors reported by injection-drug users (IDUs) living in a low-seroprevalence area in the Midwest. Data on the drug- and needle-use practices of 381 IDUs completing a standard (n = 232) or an enhanced (n = 149) intervention who were followed-up five to nine months after a baseline interview were analyzed using bivariate and multivariate techniques. The results indicate that IDUs who participated in the enhanced intervention reported safer needle practices than standard intervention IDUs at follow-up. In addition, less frequent injectors were much more likely to adopt safer needle-use practices than were daily drug injectors, regardless of intervention track. The results suggest that more intensive interventions have advantages over minimalist efforts--in specific contexts. This finding has important implications for the HIV needle risk-reduction efforts targeting IDUs.