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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Angel M. Mayor-Becerra, MD MSc, Diana M. Fernandez, EdD, Maria A. Gomez, PhD, and Robert F. Hunter-Mellado, MD. Universidad Central del Caribe, School of Medicine, Retrovirus Research Center, PO Box 60327, Bayamon, PR 00960-6032, (787)787-8722, amayorb@hotmail.com

Background: Hepatitis C (HCV) and HIV co-infection is emerging as a major health problem in Puerto Rico, particularly among injecting drug users (IDUs) who have an estimated co-infection rate over 50%. Methods: A multimedia intervention, based on Health Beliefs Model and Social Cognitive Theory, was developed to reduce HCV risk behaviors and co-infection among IDU's, consisting of four sessions to increase: 1)HCV knowledge, 2) susceptibility and severity perception 3) efficacy of protective measures perception , and 4) self-efficacy perception. The feasibility of this intervention was evaluated in 10 IDUs. Feedback was ascertained using a ten item questionnaire. Results: Six of 10 (60%) participants were women. The mean age was 49.8 years and their mean education grade was 11th. All participants believed the program was easy or very easy to operate; audio and video tools facilitated their learning process; adequate time of sessions' duration; and the health educator facilitated the process. Accordingly, all participants reported increasing their HIV/HCV co-infection knowledge. Pre-post test comparisons showed an increased knowledge of liver function, HCV severity and HCV infection risk factors. All participants favored dissemination to people at risk. Conclusions: This preliminary study was well received by HIV-infected IDUs and suggests that a multimedia educational HCV prevention intervention is an effective means of information dissemination. This new technology kept the participants' attention and interest, while increasing the HIV/HCV co-infection's knowledge. Subsequent studies will evaluate the efficacy of this intervention, investigating changes in knowledge and risk behaviors among HIV-infected individuals. Grant by 1U54RR01950701 and G12RR03035

Learning Objectives:

• 1.Evaluation of HCV/HIV co-infection risk reduction intervention.
• 2.Evaluation of the feasibility of a multimedia educational program.
• 3.Evaluation of a HCV/HIV prevention computer base intervention

Keywords: Hepatitis C, Prevention

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered