Partner-Specific HIV Risk Reduction Intervention for Drug-Using Adolescents

Incarcerated adolescents represent a group at high risk for health consequences associated with risky sexual behaviors. Condom use is more common with non-main than main sex partners and substance use in conjunction with sexual risk also appears to vary by partner type. The research team will conduct a small randomized trial to pilot test a partner-specific HIV risk reduction intervention for currently or recently incarcerated adolescents who report problematic substance use. Participants will be randomized to a 5 session HIV risk reduction group intervention based on the Information-Motivation-Behavioral Skills model, or a 5 session healthy lifestyles psychoeducation intervention, and then reassessed 3 months after their access to the general community is reinstated. The main hypothesis is that participants in the HIV risk reduction intervention condition will have lower levels of sex-related HIV risk behavior and of substance use in conjunction with sexual risk, relative to those in a healthy lifestyles psychoeducation intervention.

Inclusion criteria

• English-speaking ability
• unprotected vaginal, anal, or oral intercourse at least once in the 6 months prior to incarceration or placement
• marijuana use disorders, other non-injection drug use disorders, or substance use by a sexual partner during a sexual episode in the six months prior to incarceration or placement
• sentence or placement length between 2 and 12 months
• must plan to remain in the area for the 6 months following their release from the facility
• must be willing to provide two pieces of contact information for follow-up

Exclusion criteria

• signs of psychosis (assessed through clinical assessment)