title: Pilot Test of an Adapted, Evidence-Based HIV Sexual Risk Reduction Intervention for Homeless Women.
abstract: Women experiencing homelessness are at heightened risk for HIV, yet risk reduction interventions specifically designed for this population are lacking. This study reports on a pilot efficacy trial of a brief evidence-based intervention, Sister To Sister (STS), that we specifically adapted for homeless women in the temporary/emergency settings where they typically seek services. Seventy-nine women, recruited from three service sites in Los Angeles County, were assigned to the 40-min adapted STS intervention or an information-only control group. At 30-day follow-up, intervention participants reported significantly greater condom use, intentions to use condoms, and sexual impulse control (as well as marginally higher positive condom beliefs and condom self-efficacy) compared to control participants. Results provide preliminary evidence that HIV risk reduction can be achieved for homeless women through a brief skill-based intervention. A randomized controlled trial employing a longer follow-up period to monitor outcomes will be necessary to determine efficacy of the adapted intervention.
authors.affiliation: School of Social Work, University of Southern California, 669 West 34th Street, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA. swenzel@usc.edu.
authors.forename: Suzanne L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Wenzel
authors.affiliation: School of Social Work, University of Southern California, 669 West 34th Street, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA.
authors.forename: Julie A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Cederbaum
authors.affiliation: School of Social Work, University of Southern California, 669 West 34th Street, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA.
authors.forename: Ahyoung
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Song
authors.affiliation: School of Social Work, University of Southern California, 669 West 34th Street, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA.
authors.forename: Hsun-Ta
authors.initials: HT
authors.lastname: Hsu
authors.affiliation: School of Social Work, University of Southern California, 669 West 34th Street, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA.
authors.forename: Jaih B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Craddock
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Wichada
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Hantanachaikul
authors.affiliation: RAND Corporation, Santa Monica, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Joan S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Tucker
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission; D006703:Ill-Housed Persons; D006801:Humans; D015141:Los Angeles; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D040242:Risk Reduction Behavior; D012725:Sexual Behavior
keywords: Condom use; HIV; Homeless women; Sexual risk reduction; Sexually transmitted infections