Brief motivational intervention to reduce HIV risk and to increase HIV testing among offenders under community supervision.
Risky drug- and sex-related behaviors put criminal offenders at high risk for HIV. Intervening with this population under supervision can potentially reduce risk. This study reports a randomized trial that examines the efficacy of brief negotiation interviewing (BNI) compared to usual education activities. BNI is a computerized, self-directed intervention that combines a short structured interview with a brief counseling session. The study examined whether BNI could decrease HIV risks and increase testing for HIV in a cohort of criminal-justice-involved clients. The trial randomly assigned 212 participants to experimental (108) and control (104) conditions. Interview data were collected at baseline and at 2-month follow-up. Results indicate that the BNI intervention group had a significantly higher rate of HIV testing and was more likely to consider behavioral changes.
Alemagno
Sonia A
SA
Institute for the Study of the Prevention of Violence, Kent State University, Kent, Ohio 44242-0001, USA. salemagn@kent.edu
Stephens
Richard C
RC
Stephens
Peggy
P
Shaffer-King
Peggy
P
White
Patrick
P
D003159:Community-Institutional Relations; D003194:Computer-Assisted Instruction; D003376:Counseling; D003416:Criminal Law / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D040261:Harm Reduction; D006266:Health Education / Q000379:methods*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009042:Motivation; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011329:Prisoners; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D016320:Substance Abuse Treatment Centers / Q000379:methods; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000523:psychology / Q000821:virology