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Study to Reduce Intravenous Exposures (STRIVE)

An Evidence-Based Practice

Description

The Study to Reduce Intravenous Exposures (STRIVE) is an intervention to reduce the spread of hepatitis C virus (HCV) among injection drug users. The group peer mentoring program is designed for injection drug users with an HCV infection. The intervention educates participants about HCV and provides skills to reduce substance use. The program uses demonstrations, games, group discussions, skills-building exercises, street outreach activities and videos to deliver content. STRIVE also trains participants to mentor other injection drug users to promote risk reduction. The peer-mentoring roll encourages participants to practice and promote safer injection practices.

Goal / Mission

The goal of STRIVE is to reduce risky injection practices among injection drug users with an HCV infection.

Results / Accomplishments

In a study of over 400 injection drug users with an HCV infection, peer mentoring intervention participants reported significantly lower levels of sharing drug preparation equipment (p = 0.03) and significantly lower levels of combined risk indicators (p = 0.006) when compared to a control group that received a video discussion intervention at six months following the intervention. At a 3-month follow-up, the intervention participants reported significantly lower levels of the following indicators: combined distributive risk (p = 0.004), frequency of preparing drugs with a syringe previously used by oneself (p = 0.03), sharing drug preparation equipment (p = 0.008), refraining from injection drug use (p = 0.001), and frequency of injecting with a used syringe (p = 0.01).

About this Promising Practice

Organization(s)
University of California San Diego Division of International Health
Primary Contact
Steffanie A. Strathdee, PhD
University of California, San Diego
School of Medicine
9500 Gilman Drive
La Jolla, CA 92093-0507
sstrathdee@ucsd.edu
http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/pdf/research/interventionre...
Topics
Health / Immunizations & Infectious Diseases
Health / Prevention & Safety
Health / Alcohol & Drug Use
Organization(s)
University of California San Diego Division of International Health
Source
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Geographic Type
Urban
Location
USA
For more details
Target Audience
Adults
Miami-Dade Matters