Group Intervention to Reduce HIV Transmission Risk Behavior Among Persons Living With HIV/AIDS

Abstract

Results of a randomized controlled trial show that a behavioral intervention grounded in social cognitive theory reduces unprotected sexual behaviors among men and women living with HIV infection, with the greatest reductions in HIV transmission risk behaviors occurring with non-HIV-positive sex partners. In this article, the authors describe the intervention development and intervention content of the social cognitive risk reduction intervention for HIV-positive persons. The effective five group session intervention focused on enhancing motivation through self-reflection and developing coping efficacy skills for HIV disclosure decision making, active listening, assertiveness, and problem solving for disclosure and transmission risk reduction behaviors. Intervention components were tailored for gender and sexual orientation and integrated skills practice sessions used role-plays couched within scenes from popular films. This intervention was demonstrated to be effective in a community-service delivery setting and can be adapted for implementation in HIV-related services delivered within support groups.

Predicting HIV Transmission Risk among HIV-Infected Patients Seen in Clinical Settings

“…These include a group-level intervention provided by community-based facilitators (Kalichman, Rompa, & Cage, 2005;Kalichman et al, 2001), a group-level intervention provided by peer educators for African American women (Wingood et al, 2004), and a group level intervention provided by peer educators for MSM .…”

Female Sex Workers and Their Association with Self-Help Groups in Thane, Maharashtra, India: A Comparative Analysis in the Context of HIV Program Outcome

“…The additional benefit is that such group can play an important role in addressing HIV prevention behaviors such as safe sex practices, HIV status disclosure and condom use to decrease the spread of the disease [22]. Literature suggests that developing countries may continue to establish similar kind of groups as one of the structural intervention approaches to combat HIV/AIDS.…”

Alcohol, cannabis, and methamphetamine use and other risk behaviours among Black and Coloured South African women: A small randomized trial in the Western Cape

“…Recent research indicates that group behavioural risk-reduction interventions that combine HIV education with condom use and relational skills training can result in reductions in sex risk behaviour (Kelly et al, 1994;Ashery, Wild, Zhao, Rosenshine, & Young, 1997;McCoy, McCoy, & Lai, 1998), including among individuals with HIV/AIDS Kalichman, Rompa, & Cage, 2005;Heckman et al, 2001). Social support from peers is an important factor for group intervention durability and sustainability (Shain et al, 1999;Kelly et al, 1994;van Empelen, Kok, van Kesteren, van den Borne, Bos, & Schaalma, 2003).…”