Abstract

The persistence of HIV and sexually transmitted infection (STI) epidemics indicate that more powerful and sustainable interventions are needed, particularly for disadvantaged inner-city populations at highest risk and difficult to reach. The proposed study is a randomized, controlled efficacy trial of a theoretically based, peer outreach, network-oriented intervention that targets young adults at risk for HIV in Baltimore. We will assess the efficacy of a peer outreach education intervention to affect network norms and risk behaviors and to sustain risk-reduction behaviors of participants and their peer network members. The control condition will be the small group cognitive behavioral, individual-focused intervention (NIMH Multisite HIV Prevention Trial Group, 1998). The experimental condition will include a network-oriented component that emphasizes a pro-social identity and the super ordinate goals of protecting one's family and community and provides skills training in peer outreach education. Participants will be inner-city young adults, aged 18 to 35 years, recruited from targeted sampling of areas with high rates of HIV. Those randomly assigned to the experimental condition will be trained to conduct peer HIV/STI education and distribute prevention materials among their social networks and others at risk. Outcome evaluation will include pre-test and post-test assessments of 400 index participants (200 per arm) and 800 of their peer network members at visits 3,6,12,18 months following the intervention. The study's main outcome measures will be sexual risk behaviors. Mediating and moderating variables will also be assessed. To cross-validate self-reported behaviors we propose non-invasive laboratory assessment of HIV and STIs. In addition to their health sequelae, STIs are risk factors for HIV infection, are correlates of HIV-related sexual behavior, help validate self-reported sexual risk behavior, and may aid in the understanding of sexual mixing patterns among this group.

  Funding Agency

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01MH066810-02
Application #
6667152
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZMH1-NRB-W (03))
Program Officer
Pequegnat, Willo
Project Start
2002-09-30
Project End
2007-06-30
Budget Start
2003-07-01
Budget End
2004-06-30
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2003
Total Cost
$634,663
Indirect Cost

  Institution

Name
Johns Hopkins University
Department
Public Health & Prev Medicine
Type
Schools of Public Health
DUNS #
001910777
City
Baltimore
State
MD
Country
United States
Zip Code
21218

  Publications

Yang, Cui; Yang, Jingyan; Davey-Rothwell, Melissa et al. (2018) Social network perspective on alcohol consumption among African American women: a longitudinal analysis. Ethn Health 23:503-510
Jain, Kriti M; Davey-Rothwell, Melissa; Crossnohere, Norah L et al. (2018) Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Neighborhood Residency and Satisfaction, and Social Network Characteristics among Underserved Women in Baltimore, Maryland. Womens Health Issues 28:273-280
Davey-Rothwell, Melissa A; Stewart, Jennifer; Vadnais, Alison et al. (2017) The Role of Partner Support Among Women with Depressive Symptoms. Community Ment Health J 53:415-419
Li, Ji; Yang, Cui; Davey-Rothwell, Melissa et al. (2016) Associations Between Body Weight Status and Substance Use Among African American Women in Baltimore, Maryland: The CHAT Study. Subst Use Misuse 51:669-81
Davey-Rothwell, Melissa A; Bowie, Janice; Murray, Laura et al. (2016) Perceptions of One's Neighborhood and Mammogram Use among a Sample of Low-Income Women at Risk for Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Sexually Transmitted Infections. Womens Health Issues 26:196-200
Nam, Soohyun; Whittemore, Robin; Jeon, Sangchoon et al. (2016) High Blood Pressure and Related Factors Among Individuals at High Risk for HIV/Sexually Transmitted Infections. J Clin Hypertens (Greenwich) 18:572-80
Williams, Terrinieka T; Pichon, Latrice C; Davey-Rothwell, Melissa et al. (2016) Church Attendance as a Predictor of Number of Sexual Health Topics Discussed Among High-Risk HIV-Negative Black Women. Arch Sex Behav 45:451-8
King, Kelly M; Latkin, Carl A; Davey-Rothwell, Melissa A (2015) Love on lockdown: how social network characteristics predict separational concurrency among low income African-American women. J Urban Health 92:460-71
Yang, Jingyan; Latkin, Carl; Davey-Rothwell, Melissa et al. (2015) Bidirectional Influence: A Longitudinal Analysis of Size of Drug Network and Depression Among Inner-City Residents in Baltimore, Maryland. Subst Use Misuse 50:1544-51
Davey-Rothwell, Melissa A; Villarroel, Maria A; Grieb, Suzanne D et al. (2013) Norms, attitudes, and sex behaviors among women with incarcerated main partners. J Urban Health 90:1151-65

Showing the most recent 10 out of 27 publications