Reducing risky sexual behavior and substance use among currently and formerly homeless adults living with HIV.
OBJECTIVE
We examined the efficacy of the Healthy Living Program in reducing risky sexual behavior and substance use among adults with HIV infection who were marginally housed (i.e., homeless at some point over a 37-month period).


METHODS
We had previously conducted a randomized controlled trial with 936 adults living with HIV infection. In that study, 3 intervention modules of 5 sessions each addressed different goals: reducing risky sexual acts and drug use, improving the quality of life, and adhering to healthful behaviors. Participants were interviewed at baseline and at 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 months; 746 completed 4 or more assessments. In this study, we analyzed sexual behavior and drug use outcomes for the 35% (n = 270 of 767) of participants who were considered marginally housed.


RESULTS
Among the marginally housed participants, there were significantly greater reductions in unprotected risky sexual acts, the number of sexual partners of HIV negative or unknown serostatus, alcohol or marijuana use, and hard drug use among the intervention group than among the control group.


CONCLUSIONS
Intensive, skill-focused intervention programs may improve the lives of marginally housed adults living with HIV infection.
Rotheram-Borus
Mary Jane
MJ
Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California, Los Angeles, USA. rotheram@ucla.edu
Desmond
Katherine
K
Comulada
W Scott
WS
Arnold
Elizabeth Mayfield
EM
Johnson
Mallory
M
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission; D006703:Ill-Housed Persons; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D040242:Risk Reduction Behavior; D012747:Sexual Partners; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control*; D047568:Unsafe Sex / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014504:Urban Health; D055815:Young Adult
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