The proposed study will rigorously test the efficacy of an innovative, couples-based HIV/STI risk reduction intervention (CHSR) to decrease new cases of HIV and Hepatitis C (HCV) and incidence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), as well as to reduce unsafe injection practices and increase condom use among injecting drug users (IDUs) and their heterosexual, intimate partners in Shu, Kazakhstan. Central Asia has experienced one of the fastest growing HIV/AIDS epidemics due to a sharp increase in injection drug use. This investigative team from the Social Intervention Group at Columbia University and the Shu Policlinic Needle Exchange Program in Kazakhstan completed a pilot randomized controlled trial of the proposed CHSR among 40 IDUs and their primary, heterosexual partners (N=80) in Shu, Kazakhstan. Compared to participants assigned to the wellness promotion comparison condition (WP) (n=40), CHSR participants (n=40) reported significantly fewer unsafe injection behaviors and greater condom use from baseline to the 3-month follow-up. For the proposed study, the participants will be 400 IDUs and their heterosexual, intimate partners, who meet eligibility criteria (e.g., at least one partner reports unsafe injection and unprotected sexual intercourse in the past 30 days). Participants will be recruited from the Shu Policlinic needle exchange program and through street outreach in Shu. Shu is located along a major drug trafficking route and has an estimated 4,500 IDUs out of a population of 35,000. In the proposed study, 400 couples will be randomized to one of two interventions: a 5-session couples-based HIV/STI risk reduction intervention or a 5- session couples-based wellness promotion intervention, which will serve as a comparison condition. Participants will be assessed with repeated measures at baseline, 3-, 6- and 12-months post-intervention. The primary behavioral outcomes are self- reported proportion of injection acts in which needles or syringes are shared in the past 30 days and proportion of condom-protected acts of sexual intercourse in the past 30 days. The primary biological outcomes are the rate of new HIV cases and new HCV cases, as well as the incidence of Chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis over the 12-month post-intervention period. The proposed study will advance the understanding of HIV/HCV/STI risk reduction among a population of IDUs and their heterosexual partners, and thereby help to stem the rising epidemic of HIV, HCV, and STIs in Kazakhstan and Central Asia.

Public Health Relevance

The proposed study addresses a significant public health threat of HIV, HCV and other STIs among a very high risk population of active IDUs and their sexual partners in Kazakhstan - a region that is experiencing one of the fastest rising HIV epidemics in the world. There is a race to develop and implement effective HIV preventive interventions for IDUs and their sexual partners to stem the spread of HIV, HCV and other STIs in Shu and other Central Asian towns along drug trafficking routes.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01DA022914-02
Application #
7658149
Study Section
Behavioral and Social Consequences of HIV/AIDS Study Section (BSCH)
Program Officer
Crump, Aria
Project Start
2008-07-15
Project End
2013-05-31
Budget Start
2009-06-01
Budget End
2010-05-31
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2009
Total Cost
$670,914
Indirect Cost
Name
Columbia University (N.Y.)
Department
Other Health Professions
Type
Schools of Social Work
DUNS #
049179401
City
New York
State
NY
Country
United States
Zip Code
10027
Gilbert, Louisa; Hunt, Timothy; Primbetova, Sholpan et al. (2018) Reducing opioid overdose in Kazakhstan: A randomized controlled trial of a couple-based integrated HIV/HCV and overdose prevention intervention ""Renaissance"". Int J Drug Policy 54:105-113
Jiwatram-Negrón, Tina; Michalopoulos, Lynn Murphy; El-Bassel, Nabila (2018) The syndemic effect of injection drug use, intimate partner violence, and HIV on mental health among drug-involved women in Kazakhstan. Glob Soc Welf 5:71-81
Marotta, Phillip L; Terlikbayeva, Assel; Gilbert, Louisa et al. (2018) Intimate relationships and patterns of drug and sexual risk behaviors among people who inject drugs in Kazakhstan: A latent class analysis. Drug Alcohol Depend 192:294-302
Shaw, Stacey A; Terlikbayeva, Assel; Famouri, Leila et al. (2017) HIV testing and access to HIV medical care among people who inject drugs and their intimate partners in Kazakhstan. J Subst Use 22:53-59
Shaw, Stacey A; El-Bassel, Nabila; Gilbert, Louisa et al. (2016) Depression Among People Who Inject Drugs and Their Intimate Partners in Kazakhstan. Community Ment Health J 52:1047-1056
Hermosilla, S; El-Bassel, N; Aifah, A et al. (2015) Tuberculosis report among injection drug users and their partners in Kazakhstan. Public Health 129:569-75
El-Bassel, Nabila; Gilbert, Louisa; Terlikbayeva, Assel et al. (2014) Effects of a couple-based intervention to reduce risks for HIV, HCV, and STIs among drug-involved heterosexual couples in Kazakhstan: a randomized controlled trial. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr 67:196-203
El-Bassel, Nabila; Gilbert, Louisa; Terlikbayeva, Assel et al. (2014) HIV risks among injecting and non-injecting female partners of men who inject drugs in Almaty, Kazakhstan: implications for HIV prevention, research, and policy. Int J Drug Policy 25:1195-203
El-Bassel, Nabila; Gilbert, Louisa; Terlikbayeva, Assel et al. (2013) HIV among injection drug users and their intimate partners in Almaty, Kazakhstan. AIDS Behav 17:2490-500
Terlikbayeva, Assel; Zhussupov, Baurzhan; Primbetova, Sholpan et al. (2013) Access to HIV counseling and testing among people who inject drugs in Central Asia: strategies for improving access and linkages to treatment and care. Drug Alcohol Depend 132 Suppl 1:S61-4

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