A randomized trial of an education and support program for HIV-infected individuals.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the effectiveness of an intervention for providing information and support to HIV-positive donors on changes in their sexual behavior, and to assess which donor characteristics are predictive of behavior change.


METHODS
Subjects were randomly assigned to a structured intervention or community referral group. Follow-up assessments were conducted every 6 months.


METHODS
New York City, New York, USA.


METHODS
A cohort of 271 HIV-infected persons who donated blood to the New York Blood Center.


METHODS
Donors randomized to the structured intervention program met individually with a nurse for counseling and were offered a six-session support group. The program was designed to provide information, encourage safer sexual behavior and provide support.


METHODS
Sexual behavior, psychological distress and psychological help seeking, and immune function.


RESULTS
In both groups there was a large decrease over time in reports of unsafe sexual activity. However, more than 30% of participants in both groups reported unsafe sexual activity at the 1-year follow-up visit. Donors randomized to the structured intervention program did not report significantly more behavior change at the 1-year follow-up.


CONCLUSIONS
Better programs to promote behavior change in seropositive individuals are needed.
Cleary
P D
PD
Department of Health Care Policy, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA.
Van Devanter
N
N
Steilen
M
M
Stuart
A
A
Shipton-Levy
R
R
McMullen
W
W
Rogers
T F
TF
Singer
E
E
Avorn
J
J
Pindyck
J
J
D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009518:New York; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D012725:Sexual Behavior