Neighborhoods, Networks, Depression, and HIV Risk

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The goal of this study is to examine how social networks, neighborhood, and depression are related to HIV risk. The intervention is designed to train individuals to cope with feelings of depression or stress as a way to reduce their risk for HIV.

Detailed Description
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This study included implementation and evaluation of a small group, randomized controlled, phase II intervention to reduce depressive symptoms and HIV risk behaviors among inner city drug users. The intervention included elements of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for depression among impoverished individuals, emphasizing depressive cognitions and behaviors theorized to be associated with depression and with HIV risk behaviors among mildly to moderately depressed drug users. In addition, the study examined active drug users' social and environmental pathways to depression and subsequent HIV risk behaviors. Specifically, we will hypothesized mediating/moderating effects of neighborhood characteristics, social network factors, and individual level factors on depressive symptoms and HIV risk behaviors.

Official Title
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The Impact of Neighborhoods, Networks, and Depression on Drug Users' HIV Risk

Conditions
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HIV, Depression, Drug Use

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: Workshop
* Behavioral: Workshop control


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: 18-55 years old HIV Risk Behavior: 3a. Injected drugs more than 3 times in the past week OR 3b. Snorted/sniffed heroin or cocaine or smoked crack in the past 6 months AND had 1 of the following sex risks in the past 6 months: i) 2 or more sex partners ii) Had a sex partner who injected drugs iii)Had a sex partner who smoked crack iv) Had a sex partner who was HIV+ 4. Willingness to attend group sessions Exclusion Criteria: Enrolled in another HIV behavioral intervention or depression study in past the 3 years Enrolled in another Lighthouse study in past the 5 years Enrolled in the formative research (Phase 1) or pilot (Phase 2) of the current project.

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 55 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Prevention
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Active Comparator: Workshop Control<br>Participants receive HIV/STDs risk reduction information. | Behavioral: Workshop control<br>* 1 session intervention on standard HIV/STD information<br>|
| Experimental: Intervention Workshop<br>Participants learn skills to cope with depressive symptoms and stress as well as safer sex and injection skills. | Behavioral: Workshop<br>* 10 session intervention<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Change from Baseline in Depressive Symptoms Measured by the CESD Scale at 6 months |  | 6 months | 
| Change from Baseline in Depressive Symptoms Measured by the CESD Scale at 12 months |  | 12 months | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Change from Baseline in Sex Risk Behavior Based on Number of Sex Partners and Condom Use at 6 months |  | 6 months | 
| Change from Baseline in Injection Risk Behavior Based on Sharing Needles, Cookers, and Cotton For Injection and Drug Splitting at 6 months |  | 6 months | 
| Change from Baseline in Sex Risk Behavior Based on Number of Sex Partners and Condom Use at 12 months |  | 12 months | 
| Change from Baseline in Injection Risk Behavior Based on Sharing Needles, Cookers, and Cotton For Injection and Drug Splitting at 12 months |  | 12 months | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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HIV, depression, drug use,, risk reduction