Effectiveness of XXXX risk reduction initiatives among out-of-treatment non-injection drug users.

@entity1 @entity2072 @entity791 @entity645
While attention has been paid recently to the effectiveness of @entity645 / @entity791 interventions among injection drug users, less focus has been given to out-of-treatment noninjecting drug users. This study examines the the NIDA Cooperative Agreement standard intervention versus an enhanced intervention for @entity645 / @entity791 risk among noninjecting drug users. Data come from five sites of the NIDA-funded Cooperative Agreement on @entity645 risk behaviors. The sample is comprised of those who never injected drugs or reported not injecting in the 12 months prior to the interview; and who completed a three-month follow-up assessment. Three risk behaviors in the prior 30 days were analyzed: frequency of crack/ @entity2072 use, number of sex partners, and frequency of condom use. The levels of both baseline and follow-up risk were analyzed. Individuals remaining at low risk or decreasing risk behaviors were classified as "improved." Those increasing risk behavior or remaining at moderate or high levels were classified as "worsened." Of the 1,434 noninjecting crack/ @entity2072 users, 82% improved crack/ @entity2072 use at the follow-up. The enhanced intervention group showed more improvement in crack/ @entity2072 use than the standard intervention group. Overall, 76% reported reducing sexual partners, maintaining a one-partner relationship, or abstaining from sex at both time periods. @entity1 in the enhanced intervention group improved more than @entity1 in the standard intervention (81% versus 75%). In terms of condom use, more respondents worsened than improved (55% versus 45%). This study confirms that @entity645 / @entity791 interventions can reduce crack/ @entity2072 use; however, high-risk sexual behaviors are more difficult to change. Reasons for this lack of improvement and suggestions for future interventions are discussed.
