Effectiveness of an intervention to reduce HIV transmission risks in HIV-positive people.
BACKGROUND
As many as one in three HIV-positive people continue unprotected sexual practices after learning that they are HIV infected. This article reports the outcomes of a theory-based intervention to reduce risk of HIV transmission for people living with HIV infection.


METHODS
Men (n=233) and women (n=99) living with HIV-AIDS were randomly assigned to receive either (1) a five-session group intervention focused on strategies for practicing safer sexual behavior, or (2) a five-session, contact-matched, health-maintenance support group (standard-of-care comparison). Participants were followed for 6 months post-intervention.


RESULTS
The intervention to reduce risk of HIV transmission resulted in significantly less unprotected intercourse and greater condom use at follow-up. Transmission-risk behaviors with non-HIV-positive sexual partners and estimated HIV transmission rates over a 1-year horizon were also significantly lower for the behavioral risk-reduction intervention group.


CONCLUSIONS
This study is among the first to demonstrate successful HIV-transmission risk reduction resulting from a behavioral intervention tailored for HIV-positive men and women.
Kalichman
S C
SC
Center for AIDS Intervention Research, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53226, USA. sethk@mcw.edu
Rompa
D
D
Cage
M
M
DiFonzo
K
K
Simpson
D
D
Austin
J
J
Luke
W
W
Buckles
J
J
Kyomugisha
F
F
Benotsch
E
E
Pinkerton
S
S
Graham
J
J
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission; D006266:Health Education; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012309:Risk-Taking; D013223:Statistics as Topic