A Self-Assessment Intervention for Young Adult Polydrug Users at Risk for HIV

The specific aims of the 5-year study are to:

• identify the covariates of baseline substance abuse and sexual risks (including demographics, social risk measures, peer norms, abuse history, and mental health status) among a sample of 750 heterosexually active, not-in-treatment, club and prescription drug users ages 18 to 39 in Miami, Florida.
• evaluate, through random assignment, the relative effectiveness of two intervention conditions and a waitlist control in reducing sex risks and drug use, as measured at 3-, 6- and 12-month follow-ups:

• Arm 1, an interviewer-administered comprehensive health and social risk assessment intervention (CAPI Intervention) similar to the baseline instrument used in the parent grant;
• Arm 2, an identical self-administered comprehensive assessment intervention (ACASI Intervention); and
• Arm 3, a waitlist control condition (Control). Outcome measures, including past 90-day counts of unprotected sex acts and days' drug use, will be obtained from brief risk behavior inventories at baseline and follow-ups.
• conduct qualitative process evaluation research with 40 participants in each study arm to contextualize the study findings and intervention outcomes.

Inclusion criteria

• heterosexually active
• ongoing club and prescription drug use
• between 18-39 years of age
• must go to local clubs at least two times per month

Exclusion criteria

• no current working phone number or e-mail address
• no intention to remain in South Florida for the next 12 months
• new HIV diagnosis in the past 90 days
• currently participating in a drug treatment program (excluding 12-step programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous)