Pepijn van Empelen (Universiteit Maastricht)
Gerjo Kok (Universiteit Maastricht)

In the U.S. and Western Europe, the relative proportion of heterosexually acquired AIDS cases is growing, and a considerable number of those cases can be attributed to sexual intercourse with IV drug users (CDC, 1998; Fennema, 1997). As it is common for IV drug users to have sex with non-IV drug users and non-drug users (e.g., Booth, Kwiatkowski, & Stephens, 2000; Carsauw et al., 1997; Rhodes, Stimson, & Quirk, 1996), HIV infections are likely to spread from (IV) drug users to the general population. Therefore, targeting sexual HIV transmission is a very important strategy to prevent HIV infections within and from the drug-using community. In this light, we developed a theory- and evidence-based AIDS prevention program targeting Dutch drug users that aimed at promoting condom use. Following a 5-step intervention development protocol called Intervention Mapping (IM), it was determined what drug users needed to learn and what needed to be changed in the environment in order for drug users to successfully use condoms consistently (IM step 1), relying on empirical evidence. Following IM step 2, theoretical methods were chosen that fitted the program objectives of IM step 1. Based on those earlier steps the AIDS prevention program was developed, consisting of brochures that contained role model stories based on authentic interviews with drug users (IM step 3). The program was developed and disseminated in collaboration with existing health care and addiction care organizations (IM Step 4). The program ran for 30 weeks. To evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention program (IM step 5), a pretest-posttest design with control group was used, with three control regions and three experimental regions. The regions in each condition, were matched on size (small, medium, and large). The short-term effects of the program will be presented (6 months after the start of the program).

 
 
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