A randomized trial of a brief HIV risk reduction counseling intervention for women

Abstract

There is an urgent need for the development and implementation of effective and feasible behavioral HIV and STD interventions. The purpose of the present randomized controlled trial was to evaluate the effectiveness of a single-session, skill-based sexual risk reduction intervention for women. Participants were assessed at baseline and at 1 month and 3 months following the intervention on measures of AIDS knowledge, behavioral intentions, self-efficacy, and sexual risk behavior. Compared with women in an AIDS-education-only condition, women receiving the skill-based intervention reported significantly higher rates of condom use at 3-month follow-up. Results suggest that brief sexual risk reduction programs are feasible and effective within a community setting.