|
Contact Us
Washington University
School of Medicine
|
Peer Intervention to Reduce HIV Among Female
Heavy Drinkers (Sister to Sister--STS)
Abstract
This proposal responds to an NIAAA RFA:
AA-98-001 (Developing Alcohol-Related HIV Preventive Interventions).
"Sister to Sister" (STS) is proposed by a team of Washington University
investigators who have focused, since 1988, on HIV prevention efforts with
injectors and crack cocaine users. The peer-delivered HIV prevention model
has been successful with this high risk population; thus, the
investigators are eager to modify it and evaluate its effectiveness on
reducing alcohol use that is associated with high-risk sexual activity and
other substance abuse. The population proposed for study is urban female
problem drinkers, not currently in substance abuse treatment — an emerging
population at risk for HIV. The urgency for these interventions among this
population is especially significant in the efforts to reduce HIV
exposure; St. Louis is an appropriate testground for such an intervention
because of data from the Missouri Division of Alcohol and Drug Abuse
indicating an increase in alcohol-related problems that may be an
etiologic factor associated with an increase in HIV in women. The aims are
to: 1. Recruit 720 out-of-treatment female problem drinkers 18 to 40 years
old for a randomized intervention trial aimed at reducing alcohol related
high risk sexual behaviors. 2. Administer a modified theory-based
peer-delivered gender and culture relevant intervention that randomly
assigns women to a modified Peer-Delivered Standard Intervention (SI), or
an SI+ four 2 hour risk reduction sessions conducted by both by peers and
allied health professionals (SI+). 3. Assess the effectiveness of the
interventions in reducing high risk behaviors at 4 and 12 months,
controlling for the baseline level of severity of alcohol problems and
other substance use. The cost effectiveness will also be evaluated. We
will also evaluate among women assigned to the SI vs SI+, the
characteristics of those who maintained a low risk, maintained a high
risk, stopped their risky behavior, increased their risk, or reduced their
risk, where risk is defined as problem drinking, drinking in situations
that could be hazardous or harmful such as before or during sexual
activity, increase in protected sexual activity, and use of other
substances with alcohol. Other measures that affect behavior change and
HIV incidence will be evaluated such as symptoms of depression, PTSD,
gambling and antisocial personality disorder. 4. The intervention and
findings will be disseminated to the scientific community, Practitioners
and community members in order that it may be used by others to help
reduce HIV risk behaviors.
|
Projects
National Monitoring of Adolescent Prescription Stimulants Study (N-MAPSS)
Prescription Drug Misuse,
Abuse and Dependence
Club Drug Use, Abuse, and Dependence
International Supplement
STD Supplement
Women
Teaching Women - (WTW)
Improving Treatment Services for Substance Abusers with Comorbid Depression
(SAD)
Sister
to Sister - (STS)
Nosology
Over-the-Counter Syringe Purchase in Four Communities
Analyses to Improve Reduction in Crack Use
Each
One Teach One - (EOTO)
Substance Abuse and Risk for AIDS - (SARA)
St.
Louis' Effort to Reduce the Spread of AIDS and IVDUs - (ERSA)
Community Based HIV Prevention Among Females at Risk in Bangalore INDIA
Deconstructing HIV Interventions Among Female Offenders
Enrolling and Retaining Female Offenders in HIV Trials
Collaborative MDMA and Other Club Drugs Study
Evaluating the Social Structure of a Local Heroin Market (NIDA-funded)
|
Epidemiology and Prevention Research Group 
