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Results of a Randomized Controlled Trial of a Peer Mentor HIV/STI Prevention Intervention for Women Over an 18 Month Follow-Up

AIDS and Behavior volume 15, pages 1654–1663 (2011)Cite this article

Abstract

Despite numerous behavioral interventions designed for women, rates of HIV and STIs are increasing. Interventions are needed that reach a large number of at-risk individuals. This study was a randomized clinical trial of a HIV/STI behavioral intervention conducted in Baltimore, MD, USA. Heterosexual women (n = 169) completed a baseline and three semiannual follow-up visits. Participants were randomized into a standard of care comparison condition or a Peer Mentor condition. At the 6-month follow-up, Peer Mentors were less likely to have multiple sex partners [AOR: 0.28 (95% CI: 0.13, 0.63)]. At the 18 month follow-up assessment, Peer Mentors increased their condom use during vaginal [AOR: 0.47 (95% CI: 0.25, 0.87)] and anal sex [AOR: 0.24 (95% CI: 0.09, 0.68)] as well as with main [AOR: 0.41 (95% CI: 0.21, 0.77)] and non-main partners [AOR: 0.33 (95% CI: 0.14, 0.79)]. Peer education is a sustainable approach to change risky sexual behaviors.

Resumen

A pesar de numerosas intervenciones de comportamientos diseñadas para las mujeres, están aumentando las tasas de VIH y enfermedades de transmisión sexual. Se necesitan intervenciones que llegar a un gran número de personas en situación de riesgo. Este estudio fue un ensayo clínico aleatorio de un VIH/ITS intervención conductual llevó a cabo en Baltimore, MD, USA. Las mujeres heterosexuales (n = 169) completó una línea de base y 3 visitas de seguimiento semestral. Los participantes fueron asignados al azar en un estándar de afección de comparación de atención o un Mentor del mismo nivel. En el seguimiento de 6 meses, mentores de Peer tenían menos probabilidades de tener múltiples compañeros sexuales [AOR: 0,28 (95% CI: 0,13, 0.63)]. En la evaluación de seguimiento de 18 meses, mentores de Peer aumentó su uso de condón durante vaginal [AOR: 0,47 (95% CI: 0,25, 0.87)] y sexo anal [AOR: 0,24 (95% CI: 0,09, 0,68)], así como con el principal [AOR: 0,41 (95% CI: 0,21, 0,77)] y no principales asociados [AOR: 0,33 (95% CI: 0,14; 0.79)]. La educación entre compañeros es un enfoque sostenible para cambiar los comportamientos sexuales riesgosos.

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Acknowledgment

This work was funded by the National Institute on Mental Health (Grant# R01 MH66810).

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Affiliations

  1. Department of Health, Behavior and Society, Johns Hopkins University, Bloomberg School of Public Health, 2213 McElderry Street-2nd Floor, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA

    Melissa A. Davey-Rothwell, Karin Tobin, Cui Yang, Christina J. Sun & Carl A. Latkin

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  1. Melissa A. Davey-Rothwell
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  2. Karin Tobin
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  3. Cui Yang
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Correspondence to Melissa A. Davey-Rothwell.

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Davey-Rothwell, M.A., Tobin, K., Yang, C. et al. Results of a Randomized Controlled Trial of a Peer Mentor HIV/STI Prevention Intervention for Women Over an 18 Month Follow-Up. AIDS Behav 15, 1654–1663 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-011-9943-9

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Keywords

  • Intervention
  • Women
  • Social networks
  • Peer education