Efforts to slow the spread of HIV among drug-using populations have focused on intravenous drug users(IDU), despite the strong link between the non-injection use of stimulants, such as methamphetamine (meth), and high risk sex. The overall objective of this proposal is to evaluate the effectiveness of a chronic treatment model of sexual risk reduction for HIV-negative, """"""""heterosexually-identified"""""""" meth users (non-IDU) whose high risk sexual practices put them """"""""at risk"""""""" for contracting HIV/STDs. Because few studies have shown the long-term benefits of short-term interventions, our study will examine whether variables responsible for behavior acquisition differ from variables responsible for behavior maintenance. Our intervention integrates a clinical approach (i.e., motivational interviewing) with theory-based principles of behavior change (i.e., Social Cognitive Theory & Theory of Reasoned Action). Three major questions will be addressed: 1) Can non-gay """"""""at risk"""""""" meth users modify their high risk sexual practices?; 2) Do safer sex maintenance sessions result in longer-term treatment effects?; and 3) Do the underlying mechanisms of behavior change and behavior maintenance differ? We have piloted our 8-session intervention counseling program with eight participants. We have also completed 26 survey questionnaires and 10 qualitative interviews, accessed government data and public records on meth use in San Diego County, and consulted with community leaders and organizations to identify recruitment areas and sources. These """"""""local"""""""" pilot data have also helped us to refine our intervention materials to ensure cultural sensitivity and responsiveness to gender-based issues. In the proposed 5 year study, 450 """"""""heterosexually- identified"""""""" men and women who are regular users of meth and who have had unprotected sex at least once during the previous two months will be randomly assigned to one of three conditions: 1) a """""""" safer sex maintenance (MT) program"""""""" (i.e., 4-90 min. sessions, MT sessions (@, 7, 8, 9, and 10 months post-counseling); 2) a """"""""no maintenance"""""""" safer sex counseling program (i.e., 4-90 minute sessions); and 3) a """"""""diet and exercise"""""""" control condition (time equivalent with MT program). Printed materials on risk factors and safer sex will be distributed to controls at baseline. Followup assessments for all subjects will be conducted at 6, 12, and 18 months post-baseline assessment. A variety of outcomes will be examined (e.g., unprotected vaginal, anal, oral sex; number of STDs, partner types). Subgroup differences in the effectiveness of the intervention based on individual factors (e.g.,ethnicity, gender) and psychosocial factors (e.g., readiness for change) will be explored.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01MH061146-03
Application #
6639153
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-AARR-7 (01))
Program Officer
Forsyth, Andrew D
Project Start
2001-04-01
Project End
2006-03-31
Budget Start
2003-04-01
Budget End
2004-03-31
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
2003
Total Cost
$453,294
Indirect Cost
Name
University of California San Diego
Department
Psychiatry
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
804355790
City
La Jolla
State
CA
Country
United States
Zip Code
92093
Pitpitan, Eileen V; Semple, Shirley J; Zians, Jim et al. (2018) Mood, Meth, Condom Use, and Gender: Latent Growth Curve Modeling Results from a Randomized Trial. AIDS Behav :
Hayashi, Hitomi D; Patterson, Thomas L; Semple, Shirley J et al. (2016) Risk Factors for Recent Intimate Partner Violence among Methamphetamine-Using Men and Women. J Psychoactive Drugs 48:135-45
Malvar, Jemily; Vaida, Florin; Sanders, Chelsea Fitzsimons et al. (2015) Predictors of new-onset distal neuropathic pain in HIV-infected individuals in the era of combination antiretroviral therapy. Pain 156:731-9
Ludwig-Barron, Natasha; Syvertsen, Jennifer L; Lagare, Tiffany et al. (2015) Live to tell: Narratives of methamphetamine-using women taken hostage by their intimate partners in San Diego, CA. Int J Drug Policy 26:843-50
Ludwig-Barron, Natasha; Wagner, Karla D; Syvertsen, Jennifer L et al. (2014) ""When you get old like this … you don't run those risks anymore"": influence of age on sexual risk behaviors and condom use attitudes among methamphetamine-using heterosexual women with a history of partner violence. Womens Health Issues 24:620-8
Stockman, Jamila K; Syvertsen, Jennifer L; Robertson, Angela M et al. (2014) Women's perspectives on female-initiated barrier methods for the prevention of HIV in the context of methamphetamine use and partner violence. Womens Health Issues 24:e397-405
Grant, Igor; Franklin Jr, Donald R; Deutsch, Reena et al. (2014) Asymptomatic HIV-associated neurocognitive impairment increases risk for symptomatic decline. Neurology 82:2055-62
Semple, Shirley J; Strathdee, Steffanie A; Zians, Jim et al. (2013) Correlates of drug dealing in female methamphetamine users. J Urban Health 90:529-41
Semple, Shirley J; Strathdee, Steffanie A; Volkmann, Tyson et al. (2011) ""High on my own supply"": correlates of drug dealing among heterosexually identified methamphetamine users. Am J Addict 20:516-24
Semple, Shirley J; Strathdee, Steffanie A; Zians, Jim et al. (2011) Methamphetamine-using parents: the relationship between parental role strain and depressive symptoms. J Stud Alcohol Drugs 72:954-64

Showing the most recent 10 out of 41 publications