Wingood GM, DiClemente RJ, Mikhail I, Lang DL, McCree DH, Davies SL, Hardin JW, Hook EW, Saag M. A randomized controlled trial to reduce HIV transmission risk behaviors and sexually transmitted diseases among women living with HIV: The WiLLOW Program.
J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr 2005;
37 Suppl 2:S58-67. [PMID:
15385901 DOI:
10.1097/01.qai.0000140603.57478.a9]
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the efficacy of an intervention to reduce HIV transmission risk behaviors and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and enhance HIV-preventive psychosocial and structural factors among women living with HIV.
DESIGN
A randomized controlled trial of 366 women living with HIV in Alabama and Georgia.
INTERVENTION
The intervention emphasized gender pride, maintaining current and identifying new network members, HIV transmission knowledge, communication and condom use skills, and healthy relationships.
PRIMARY OUTCOME
Unprotected vaginal intercourse. OTHER OUTCOMES: Proportion never used condoms, incident STDs, psychosocial factors, and number of supportive network members.
RESULTS
Over the 12-month follow-up, women in the WiLLOW intervention, relative to the comparison, reported fewer episodes of unprotected vaginal intercourse (1.8 vs. 2.5; P = 0.022); were less likely to report never using condoms (odds ratio [OR] = 0.27; P = 0.008); had a lower incidence of bacterial infections (Chlamydia and gonorrhea) (OR = 0.19; P = 0.006); reported greater HIV knowledge and condom use self-efficacy, more network members, fewer beliefs that condoms interfere with sex, and fewer partner-related barriers to condom use; and demonstrated greater skill in using condoms.
CONCLUSION
This is the first trial to demonstrate reductions in risky sexual behavior and incident bacterial STDs and to enhance HIV-preventive psychosocial and structural factors among women living with HIV.
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