Neighborhoods, Networks, Depression, and HIV Risk

Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health965 enrolled

Overview

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.

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.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

PREVENTION

Masking

NONE

Enrollment

965

Conditions

HIV Depression Drug Use

Interventions

WorkshopBEHAVIORAL

10 session intervention

Workshop controlBEHAVIORAL

1 session intervention on standard HIV/STD information

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 YearsMax age: 55 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: 1. 18-55 years old 2. 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: 1. Enrolled in another HIV behavioral intervention or depression study in past the 3 years 2. Enrolled in another Lighthouse study in past the 5 years 3. Enrolled in the formative research (Phase 1) or pilot (Phase 2) of the current project.

Locations (1)

Lighthouse Studies @ Peer Points- JHSPH

Baltimore, Maryland, United States

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Change from Baseline in Depressive Symptoms Measured by the CESD Scale at 6 months

Time frame: 6 months

Change from Baseline in Depressive Symptoms Measured by the CESD Scale at 12 months

Time frame: 12 months

Secondary Outcomes

Change from Baseline in Sex Risk Behavior Based on Number of Sex Partners and Condom Use at 6 months

Time frame: 6 months

Change from Baseline in Injection Risk Behavior Based on Sharing Needles, Cookers, and Cotton For Injection and Drug Splitting at 6 months

Time frame: 6 months

Change from Baseline in Sex Risk Behavior Based on Number of Sex Partners and Condom Use at 12 months

Time frame: 12 months

Change from Baseline in Injection Risk Behavior Based on Sharing Needles, Cookers, and Cotton For Injection and Drug Splitting at 12 months

Time frame: 12 months

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

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