Latkin CA, Hua W, Davey M; International Conference on AIDS (15th : 2004 : Bangkok, Thailand).

Int Conf AIDS. 2004 Jul 11-16; 15: abstract no. TuPeB4673.

Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, United States

Background: Peer education is a critical approach to HIV prevention. Use of voluntary peer outreach workers is an economical method for developing sustainable HIV prevention intervention that can reach hidden populations. Little is know about the characteristics of effective voluntary peer outreach workers. Methods: The current study evaluated 156 peer outreach educators in the injection drug using community six months after their 10-session training. The program involved motivational and skills building exercises focused on training participants to promote HIV prevention among network members and acquaintances. We examined factors associated talking to network members and others about HIV prevention and other HIV-related topics as well as distributing risk reduction materials. Results: The peer educators were highly economically marginalized. Most were active drug users (63%), had less than a high school education (57%), unemployed (85%), and 21% were HIV positive. Most (70%) reported that they continued to engage in HIV prevention conversations well after the end of the training session. In general, current drug users were less likely to report engaging in HIV-related conversations in the prior month, but were more likely to provide bleach to drug-using network members. Older participants (41+) and women were more likely to report HIV prevention conversations. HIV seropositive participants were significantly more likely to report talking to sex partners and family members about HIV. Conclusions: These data suggest that demographic characteristics, drug use, and HIV status were associated with HIV prevention conversations among network members. These characteristics should be considered when designing peer outreach HIV prevention programs.

Publication Types:

• Meeting Abstracts

Keywords:

• Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
• Counseling
• Female
• HIV Infections
• HIV Seropositivity
• Humans
• Interpersonal Relations
• Peer Group
• Risk Reduction Behavior
• Sexual Partners
• Social Support
• Social Welfare
• Substance-Related Disorders
• organization & administration

Other ID:

• GWAIDS0038279

UI: 102282495

From Meeting Abstracts