A randomized intervention trial to reduce the lending of used injection equipment among injection drug users infected with hepatitis C.
OBJECTIVE
We evaluated the efficacy of a peer-mentoring behavioral intervention designed to reduce risky distributive injection practices (e.g., syringe lending, unsafe drug preparation) among injection drug users with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection.


METHODS
A randomized trial with a time-equivalent attention-control group was conducted among 418 HCV-positive injection drug users aged 18 to 35 years in 3 US cities. Participants reported their injection-related behaviors at baseline and at 3- and 6-month follow-ups.


RESULTS
Compared with the control group, intervention-group participants were less likely to report distributive risk behaviors at 3 months (odds ratio [OR]=0.46; 95% confidence interval [CI]=0.27, 0.79) and 6 months (OR=0.51; 95% CI=0.31, 0.83), a 26% relative risk reduction, but were no more likely to cite their HCV-positive status as a reason for refraining from syringe lending. Effects were strongest among intervention-group participants who had known their HCV-positive status for at least 6 months. Peer mentoring and self-efficacy were significantly increased among intervention-group participants, and intervention effects were mediated through improved self-efficacy.


CONCLUSIONS
This behavioral intervention reduced unsafe injection practices that may propagate HCV among injection drug users.
Latka
Mary H
MH
Division of International Health and Cross Cultural Medicine, University of California School of Medicine, 9500 Gilman Dr, Mailstop 0622, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA.
Hagan
Holly
H
Kapadia
Farzana
F
Golub
Elizabeth T
ET
Bonner
Sebastian
S
Campbell
Jennifer V
JV
Coady
Micaela H
MH
Garfein
Richard S
RS
Pu
Minya
M
Thomas
Dave L
DL
Thiel
Thelma K
TK
Strathdee
Steffanie A
SA
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001521:Behavior Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000150:complications* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008611:Mentors; D016485:Needle Sharing / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012309:Risk-Taking; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D014481:United States