Development of a trauma-informed substance use and sexual risk reduction intervention for young South African women

ObjectivesSexual and physical trauma and substance use are intersecting risks for HIV among young women. This study assesses the feasibility, acceptability and preliminary effects of a novel trauma-informed substance use and sexual risk reduction intervention for young South African women.DesignA single arm feasibility test and qualitative interviews of participants.ParticipantsSixty women, between 18 and 25 years of age, who reported trauma exposure, substance use and recent condom-less sex were recruited. Twenty participants were randomly selected for qualitative interviews.InterventionA six-session group-based intervention.Main outcome measuresWe examined the proportion of women who provided consent, completed counselling and were retained in the study. Qualitative interviews explored intervention acceptability. Preliminary effects of the intervention on substance use, mental health (depression, psychological distress and trauma symptoms) and sexual risk outcomes (STI symptoms, number of partners and condomless sex) were explored.ResultsOf the 66 eligible women, 91% were enrolled. Intervention completion rates were low; 35% attended all sessions. On average, participants attended four sessions (M=3.8, SD=1.3). A 93% follow-up rate was achieved at the 3-month endpoint. In this single group design, reductions in the proportion of participants who tested positive for methamphetamine, cannabis and methaqualone were observed at the 3-month endpoint. Symptoms of depression, psychological distress and trauma; number of STI symptoms; and number of sexual partners also decreased. Outcomes were similar for participants who completed up to four and those who completed five or more sessions. Participants thought the intervention was highly beneficial and proposed modifications to enhance acceptability.ConclusionsThis novel intervention seems acceptable and holds potential benefits for trauma-exposed women who use substances. Truncating the intervention may enhance the likelihood of its implementation. The efficacy of the intervention for improving substance use, sexual risk and mental health outcomes requires testing in a controlled design.

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A Qualitative Study of African American/Black MSM’s Experiences of Participating in a Substance Use and Sexual Risk Reduction Intervention

American Journal of Men s Health ◽

10.1177/1557988315584157 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 11 (4) ◽

pp. 1155-1161 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Mance E. Buttram ◽

Steven P. Kurtz

Keyword(s):

Substance Use ◽

African American ◽

Risk Reduction ◽

Sexual Risk ◽

Risk Behaviors ◽

Black Msm ◽

Sexual Risk Reduction ◽

American Black ◽

Risk Reduction Intervention ◽

Sexual Risk Reduction Intervention

The majority of new HIV infections in the United States are among men who have sex with men (MSM), and African American/Black MSM are especially affected. Employing a grounded theory approach, this study presents qualitative data from 21 African American/Black MSM who participated in a substance use and sexual risk reduction intervention trial (Project ROOM [men Reaching Out to Other Men]) in South Florida. African American/Black MSM from Project ROOM reduced their substance use and sexual risk behaviors at a faster rate than other men in the study. The present study examines how the experiences of participation in Project ROOM influenced the behavior change among African American/Black MSM. In-depth interviews indicate that study assessments enhanced African American/Black men’s mindfulness and self-realization of behaviors leading to behavior modification and changes in social relationships. Furthermore, these findings suggest that interventions tailored to the social environment of HIV transmission and substance use behaviors are key to reducing risk behaviors among this population.

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