title: Participant and staff experiences in a peer-delivered HIV intervention with injection drug users.
abstract: We explore ethical issues faced by investigators as they conduct research as part of a peer-delivered HIV/AIDS risk reduction program for injection drug users (IDUs). Staff and participant experiences in peer-delivered interventions among IDUs have come under scrutiny by ethics researchers because of their potential to inadvertently and negatively impact participant rehabilitation due to continued engagement with drug-using networks during the course of outreach. This study explores whether enhanced communication of participant concerns and experiences with clinic and research staff helps to reduce inadvertent malfeasance in peer-delivered drug treatment interventions. Results contribute to the development of patient support infrastructure in peer-delivered risk reduction programs involving IDUs.
authors.affiliation: University of Houston.
authors.forename: Kristin M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Kostick
authors.forename: Margaret
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Weeks
authors.forename: Heather
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Mosher
mesh_terms: D003142:Communication; D055030:Drug Users; D032984:Ethics, Research; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D010379:Peer Group; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D040242:Risk Reduction Behavior; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*