Evaluation of the exposure effects of a theory-based street outreach HIV intervention on African-American drug users

Abstract

The Street Outreach to Drug Abusers-Community AIDS Prevention (SODA-CAP) Project implemented and evaluated an HIV-prevention intervention aimed at current drug users. The intervention was developed using social cognitive theory and the transtheoretical model of change. The outreach team assessed individuals' stages of change for the target behaviors and they were given stage-appropriate role-model stories. The program effects were evaluated using a quasi-experimental design with a repeated, cross-sectional sampling method in which community surveys were administered at baseline, 12 and 22 months. Multivariate statistical models were developed for four outcomes (condom use with main and other partners, treatment entry, and stopping all drug and alcohol use). Exposure to intervention was a significant predictor for condom use with other partners and for stopping drug and alcohol use.