Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #118752

Richard S. Garfein, PhD, MPH, Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, Division of International Health and Cross Cultural Medicine, University of California San Diego School of Medicine, 9500 Gilman Drive, Mailstop 0622, San Diego, CA 92093, 858-822-1952, rgarfein@ucsd.edu

Community-based recruitment in Baltimore, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, and Seattle began in June, 2002 for 15-30 year old injection drug users (IDUs) to participate in a randomized controlled trial of a 6-session small-group intervention designed to reduce their risk of HIV and HCV infection associated with injection and sexual practices. The primary objectives were to decrease the absolute or relative frequency of times participants: 1) injected with syringes that had been previously used by another IDU, 2) shared other injection paraphernalia, and 3) had vaginal or anal intercourse without a condom in the intervention group compared with the control group. After completing an extensive baseline behavioral risk assessment using audio-assisted computerized self-interviewing (ACASI) and undergoing serologic testing for HIV, HAV, HBV, and HCV infection, participants who where seronegative for HIV and HCV were invited to enroll in the intervention trial. Participants who were susceptible to hepatitis A or B were offered free immunizations. Trial participants were reassessed for risk behaviors and viral infections 3 and 6 months post-intervention. In total, 3,285 individuals completed the baseline assessment, of which 712 were randomized into the trial and completed one or both follow-up assessments. This session will include presentations on the efficacy of the intervention and important behavioral observations from the baseline and follow-up assessment.

Learning Objectives:

• See Session Abstract.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commertial supporters WITH THE EXCEPTION OF State of California employee; former federal government employee..