The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #65405

Hortensia Amaro, PhD¹, Annie Zhang, MPH², Michelle Belisle², Mary Jo Larson, PhD², and Luz Marillis Lopez, MSW, MPH³. (1) Bouve College of Health Sciences, Northeastern University, 360 Huntington Avenue, Stearns Building, 503, Boston, MA 02115, (617) 373-7601, h.amaro@neu.edu, (2) New England Research Institutes, 9 Galen St, Watertown, MA 02474, (3) Boston Public Health Commission, 211 River Street, Mattapan, MA 02126

This paper presents findings of Trauma Specific Intervention Model among an racially/ethnically diverse sample of 138 participants and 120 controls in substance abuse treatment that met criteria of previous mental health diagnosis and trauma histories. Women completed in-person baseline and 6-month follow-up interviews on HIV risk behaviors, relationship power, trauma history and symptoms, treatment status and demographics. The outcome is HIV sexual risk behavior measured by a self-report of unprotected sex with a main partner or a risky person in the past 30 days at 6-month follow-up. Logistic regression analysis found a significant positive intervention effect on women's sexual risk behaviors (Odds Ratio 2.3, 95% CI: 1.1 - 4.8). Women in the intervention group were less likely to engage in unprotected sexual behaviors compared to women in the control group after adjusting for age, race, treatment modality, sexual risk behavior at baseline, baseline trauma history and symptoms, 6-month drug use status, residing in restricted environment, and current treatment status. This finding was replicated when a measure of relationship power was included in the logistic model. Findings suggest that compared to standard substance abuse treatment without trauma specific services, the Trauma Specific Intervention Model can have positive protective effects on HIV risk behaviors among women with a history of drug addiction and trauma. These findings have important implications for HIV risk reduction among women with a history of comorbidity. We will discuss implications for substance abuse treatment among women and how such services might be incorporated into existing treatment programs.

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of the session, the participatns in this session will be able to:
• Describe the association between HIV risk behaviors and history of trauma.
• Discuss the prevalence of comorbidity of trauma and drug abuse among women.
• Assess the impact of the trauma focused HIV intervention on risk behaviors of participants.
• Decognize trauma specific approaches to HIV risk reduction.

Keywords: HIV Risk Behavior, Drug Abuse Treatment

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
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.