Spring Break
Professor awarded for HIV prevention method
Emily Volz
Issue date: 11/7/08 Section: News
In Ukraine, where nearly one-third of injection drug users are HIV positive; Broadhead's pilot project has already yielded such promising results that the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria is now implementing the intervention program at 17 new sites in Ukraine.
When Broadhead's method was tested four years ago in Yaroslavl Province, Russia, more than 3,100 active injection drug users were recruited according to UConn's news Web site. The test found that there was a significant reduction in drug injection frequency and sharing of styringes and other injection equipment. Additionally, overall knowledge of HIV increased among drug users' at the target sites.
Broadhead has been tweaking his intervention methods for years. In Tutayv, Russia, Broadhead offered project participants food vouchers instead of cash incentives. After six months, Broadhead began offering cash incentives again, as participants didn't respond as favorably to food vouchers.
Broadhead said some people who are unfamiliar with his model will question if it encourages injection drug use.
"As they become more familiar, they come to understand it rather quickly," Broadhead said. "It's a matter of prioritizing which problems must be handled immediately."
"I think the world community agrees that combating (HIV) is much more important," he said.
Broadhead said that his program often does help reduce injection drug use, as well.
"When we start working with people who inject drugs and help them start to understand better the risks that they face, those people are very enthusiastic about receiving help, including drug treatment," Broadhead said.
Broadhead is currently working on a manual for implementing his peer-driven intervention model in areas around the world. The manual will be available in multiple languages, including Russian, Chinese (Mandarin), Vietnamese, Thai, Spanish and English.
When Broadhead's method was tested four years ago in Yaroslavl Province, Russia, more than 3,100 active injection drug users were recruited according to UConn's news Web site. The test found that there was a significant reduction in drug injection frequency and sharing of styringes and other injection equipment. Additionally, overall knowledge of HIV increased among drug users' at the target sites.
Broadhead has been tweaking his intervention methods for years. In Tutayv, Russia, Broadhead offered project participants food vouchers instead of cash incentives. After six months, Broadhead began offering cash incentives again, as participants didn't respond as favorably to food vouchers.
Broadhead said some people who are unfamiliar with his model will question if it encourages injection drug use.
"As they become more familiar, they come to understand it rather quickly," Broadhead said. "It's a matter of prioritizing which problems must be handled immediately."
"I think the world community agrees that combating (HIV) is much more important," he said.
Broadhead said that his program often does help reduce injection drug use, as well.
"When we start working with people who inject drugs and help them start to understand better the risks that they face, those people are very enthusiastic about receiving help, including drug treatment," Broadhead said.
Broadhead is currently working on a manual for implementing his peer-driven intervention model in areas around the world. The manual will be available in multiple languages, including Russian, Chinese (Mandarin), Vietnamese, Thai, Spanish and English.
Be the first to comment on this story