Brief counseling to reduce AIDS risk in intravenous drug users and their sexual partners: Preliminary results

1 January 1989

journal article
research article
Published by Taylor & Francis in Counselling Psychology Quarterly

Vol. 2 (1) , 15-19
https://doi.org/10.1080/09515078908256658

Abstract

Intravenous drug users (N = 88) and their sexual partners (N = 45) were randomly assigned to either a brief counseling intervention or an information-brochure only condition (aimed at reducing behavioral risk for HIV infection). At 10 day follow-up, intravenous drug users exposed to brief counseling were more knowledgeable about risk behaviors, and reported higher levels of self-efficacy and communication skill, and more frequent use of condoms and sterilisation of needles. At 90 day follow-up, intravenous drug users were more accepting of guidelines to reduce sex-related risk and reported greater self-efficacy in relation to drugs. Sexual partners who received brief counseling showed a small reduction in unprotected sex (at 90-day follow-up), while those receiving brochures were slightly less likely to use condoms. Methodological problems of the study are discussed.

Keywords

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