A Peer-Oriented HIV Prevention Outreach Program for Individuals at High Risk for HIV and Other STIs

The persistence of HIV and STD epidemics indicates that more effective, sustainable preventive interventions are needed, particularly for low-income, inner-city populations. This study will determine the effectiveness of a theoretically based peer outreach program in preventing HIV and STD transmission among adults in the Baltimore, Maryland area.

Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either a network-oriented peer program emphasizing one's social identity and the goals of protecting one's family and community or group cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). The peer program will also train participants to provide HIV/STD education to their peers. Participants will be assessed at study entry and during several subsequent follow-up visits. At these study visits, participants will complete questionnaires about their sexual health knowledge and sexual behaviors. Participants and members of their peer network will have follow-up visits at Months 6, 12, and 18.

Inclusion criteria

for CBT or Peer Intervention Participants:

• Female
• Age 18-55
• Did not inject drugs in the past 6 months
• Self-reported sex with at least 1 male partner in the past 6 months
• Had at least 1 of the following sexual risk factors:

• More than 2 sex partners in the past 6 months
• STI diagnosis in the past 6 months
• Had a high risk sex partner in the past 90 days (i.e. a sex partner that injected drugs, smoked crack, was HIV+, or MSM)

Inclusion criteria

for Peer Network Participants:

• 18 years old or older
• One of the following:

• Injected drugs
• Sex partner of index
• Social network member that the index felt comfortable talking to about HIV/STIs

Exclusion criteria

for All Participants:

• Currently enrolled in another HIV prevention intervention