Objective: To examine the impact of self-efficacy on HIV-related injection and sex risk behaviors among Puerto Rican injection drug users and crack smokers. Methods: Baseline and 6 month follow-up data were collected between 1998 and 2000 in New York and Puerto Rico (follow-up rate=79%, 952/1200). Total scores of each self-efficacy scale (10 injection and 10 sex items) were used. HIV injection risk included: receptive/distributive needle/other injection equipment sharing. Sex risk included unprotected sex, exchange of sex for drugs/money, and having multiple sex partners. All risk-related behaviors were based on prior 30 days and dichotomous (no/yes). Differences in self-efficacy scores between baseline and follow-up were first computed and dichotomized (negative [lower] change vs. no/positive [same/higher] change at follow-up). Multiple logistic regression analyses were conducted to examine the relationships between self-efficacy change and HIV risk behaviors after controlling for the effects of potential confounding variables (gender, age, recruitment site, HIV serostatus, and risk behavior at baseline). Results: Those with negative change in self-efficacy were more likely than those with no/positive change to engage in HIV risk behaviors at follow-up (e.g., receptive other injection equipment sharing, 31% vs. 19%, respectively, p<.01; having multiple sex partners, 17% vs. 11%, respectively, p=.01). The relationships were significant in multiple logistic regressions after controlling for the impacts of the covariates. Conclusion: The findings indicate that improving perceived self-efficacy for risk reduction can help reduce HIV transmission behaviors in high risk drug users. HIV/AIDS prevention programs should include a focus on enhancing self-efficacy for reducing risk behaviors.
Learning Objectives: 1. Recognize a significant association between a perceived self-efficacy and HIV risk behaviors. 2. Evaluate perceived self-efficacy for behavior changes. 3. Develop a HIV intervention program which focuses on enhancing self-efficacy for reducing risk behaviors.
Keywords: HIV Risk Behavior, Self-Efficacy
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.