Effects of an intervention program on AIDS-related drug and needle behavior among intravenous drug users

R.C. Stephens, T.E. Feucht and S.W. Roman

American Journal of Public Health, 1991, vol. 81, issue 5, 568-571

Abstract: Background: Behaviors which entail high risk for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection among intravenous drug users can be significantly reduced through educational intervention. Methods: The educational intervention was conducted by a health educator in a one-on-one format and provided information about acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and strategies for reducing the risk of infection. Risk was assessed prior to the intervention and was compared to a follow-up assessment obtained approximately three months later (n = 322). Results: The percentage who reported using drugs intravenously decreased from 92.2 to 70.5, and the percentage who reported sharing syringes dropped from 67.4 to 24.3. Reductions of these and other high-risk behaviors were detected across various demographic subgroups, and analyses show that the impact of the intervention endured for several months. Conclusions: The findings suggest that intravenous drug users conform to a model of rational choice when confronted with accurate information about the devastating consequences of HIV infection.

Date: 1991
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:aph:ajpbhl:1991:81:5:568-571_0

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