Integrating an HIV/HCV brief intervention in prisoner reentry: results of a multisite prospective study

Brief interventions to reduce harmful or problem behaviors have become increasingly popular in a variety of health fields, including HIV and hepatitis risk reduction. A central issue in intervention research involves the evaluation of what constitutes an effective "dose" of an intervention. This research examines the relative effectiveness of three alternative brief interventions of varying intensity designed to change the risk behaviors of inmates who are reentering society: a DVD-based, peer delivered intervention; the NIDA Standard HIV Intervention; and a standard practice condition (HIV educational video). All participants randomly received one of the interventions and were tested for HIV and HCV prior to release from custody. Thirty and ninety-day follow-ups examined changes in high-risk behaviors. Results reported here for 343 subjects who have completed the 90-day follow up indicate significant reductions in reported sexual risk behaviors for those participating the DVD intervention, compared to the other two brief interventions. This study is among the first to report any positive impacts on sexual behaviors among a population of inmates returning to the community.