Group intervention to reduce HIV transmission risk behavior among persons living with HIV/AIDS

Results of a randomized controlled trial show that a behavioural intervention grounded in social cognitive theory reduces unprotected sexual behaviours among men and women living with HIV infection, with the greatest reductions in HIV transmission risk behaviours occurring with non-HIV-positive sex partners. In this article, the authors describe the intervention development and intervention content of the social cognitive risk reduction intervention for HIV-positive persons. The effective five group session intervention focused on enhancing motivation through self-reflection and developing coping efficacy skills for HIV disclosure decision making, active listening, assertiveness, and problem solving for disclosure and transmission risk reduction behaviours. Intervention components were tailored for gender and sexual orientation and integrated skills practice sessions used role-plays couched within scenes from popular films. This intervention was demonstrated to be effective in a community-service delivery setting and can be adapted for implementation in HIV-related services delivered within support groups.