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Print-FriendlyThe study authors examined the efficacy of a peer-driven intervention to increase screening rates for AIDS clinical trials among African Americans and Hispanics with HIV/AIDS.
The intervention (six hours of structured sessions and the opportunity to educate three peers) was compared with a time-matched control arm using a randomized controlled design to examine efficacy. Participants were recruited using respondent-driven sampling (n=342; 43.9 percent female; 64.9 percent African- American; 26.6 percent Hispanic). Most participants (93.9 percent) completed intervention sessions, and 64.9 percent recruited or educated peers. Completion rate for baseline and post-baseline computer-assisted interviews was 94.4 percent. Intervention effects on screening were examined via a mixed model.
Compared to the control group, screening was much more likely in the peer-driven intervention (adjusted odds ratio=55.0; z=5.49, P<.001); 46.0 percent of intervention participants were screened compared with 1.6 percent of controls. The experience of recruiting and educating each peer also increased screening odds among those who themselves were peer-recruited and –educated (AOR=1.4; z=2.06, P<.05).
"Peer-driven intervention was highly efficacious in increasing AIDS clinical trial screening rates among African Americans and Hispanics living with HIV/AIDS," the authors concluded.
