Enhancing HIV Partner Notification Through Peer Educators

Funding Source: National Institute of Mental Health
Funding Period: 2007-2010
Principal Investigator: Marjorie F. Goldstein, Ph.D.
CDUHR Co-Investigator(s): Sherry Deren, Ph.D.
Project Director: Corrine Munoz-Plaza, M.P.H.

Despite efforts to curb the spread of HIV, an estimated 40,000 people in the US acquire HIV infection each year. It is estimated that one quarter of these individuals are unaware of their infection. Partner notification (PN) can be an effective method of reaching persons who are unaware of their HIV exposure, and occurs through two primary methods: self-disclosure (the HIV+ individual informing a risk partner they may have been exposed to HIV) or anonymously (by health department officials). However, little research has been undertaken to enhance HIV PN. In this developmental proposal, a pilot curriculum for training HIV+ peers to communicate about PN will be modified, based on the results of focus groups with HIV positive persons and interviews with service providers from three sources: a drug treatment program, an HIV primary care medical clinic, and a community service agency for HIV+ individuals. Using an Information-Motivation Behavioral Skills theoretical model, HIV+ peers from the three venues will be trained to impart PN information (e.g. anonymity provided though health department notification), address motivation (e.g. altruism, responsibility), and develop skills (e.g. personal disclosure rehearsal/use of anonymous PN service). The PN Peer Education program will be implemented in each venue for a four month period. Feasibility will be assessed through process data, including observations of education activities and interviews with staff. Preliminary efficacy data will be obtained by assessing changes in knowledge, attitudes and use of PN for the trained Peers and clients/patients in the three venues via pre and post assessments. In addition, trends in PN reports to the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene will be examined. Results of this developmental study will be used to develop a large-scale randomized clinical trial (RCT) to assess the effectiveness of the Peer Education program on enhancing PN among HIV+ persons.