Effectiveness of HIV/STD Sexual Risk Reduction Groups for Women in Substance Abuse Treatment Programs: Results of NIDA Clinical Trials Network Trial

Abstract

Context Since drug-involved women are among the fastest growing groups with AIDS, sexual risk reduction intervention for them is a public health imperative. Objective Test effectiveness of HIV/STD safer sex skills building (SSB) groups for women in community drug treatment. Design Randomized trial of SSB versus standard HIV/STD Education (HE); assessments at baseline, 3- and 6- months Participants Women recruited from 12 methadone or psychosocial treatment programs in NIDA’s Clinical Trials Network. 515 women with ≥ one unprotected vaginal or anal sex occasion (USO) with a male partner in the past 6 months were randomized. Interventions In SSB, five 90-minute groups used problem-solving and skills rehearsal to increase HIV/STD risk awareness, condom use and partner negotiation skills. In HE, one 60-minute group covered HIV/STD disease, testing, treatment, and prevention information. Main Outcome Number of USOs at follow up. Results A significant difference in mean USOs was obtained between SSB and HE over time (F=67.2, p<.0001). At 3 months, significant decrements were observed in both conditions. At 6 months SSB maintained the decrease, HE returned to baseline (p<.0377). Women in SSB had 29% fewer USOs than those in HE. Conclusions Skills building interventions can produce ongoing sexual risk reduction in women in community drug treatment.

Relationship Power and Sexual Risk among Women in Community-Based Substance Abuse Treatment

“…This study used baseline data collected from a randomized trial funded by NIDA's CTN to test the effectiveness of a five-session HIV/STD safer sex skills building group intervention 39 designed to reduce unprotected sexual risk behavior in sexually active women in seven methadone maintenance treatment programs and five outpatient psychosocial treatment programs (see Tross et al 40 for a full description of the study). The sites were a combination of urban (n=6) and suburban (n=6) settings, located geographically in the West (n=2), Midwest (n=2), Northeast (n=4), and Southeast (n=4) USA.…”

Impact of Interim Methadone Maintenance on HIV Risk Behaviors

“…12 Gender-specific sexual risk reduction interventions, based on recent research, 13,14 should be delivered in drug abuse treatment programs.…”

Efficacy of a Computerized Intervention on HIV and Intimate Partner Violence Among Substance-Using Women in Community Corrections: A Randomized Controlled Trial

“…29 For this study, we made minor modifications to WORTH to make it more contextually relevant for substance-using women in community corrections, such as addressing criminal justice-related triggers for unsafe sex and IPV (e.g., resisting drug use with a partner being released from prison). 28,29 The intervention was informed by social cognitive learning theory, which focuses on observation, modeling, and skill rehearsal through role play and feedback from group members. 30 Empowerment theory also guided a strengths-based approach of WORTH to build collective efficacy of women to negotiate safe relationships and counter stigma that they face as women in community corrections.…”