High Risk Crack Use Settings and HIV in El Salvador

High Risk Crack Use Settings and HIV in El Salvador

This project will first increase the accessibility and acceptability of rapid HIV testing in health clinics located in or near four low-income communities in San Salvador, El Salvador. The investigators will use crack users' social networks and small incentives, as recommended by the CDC, in collaboration with the Salvadoran Ministry of Public Health and Social Assistance (MSPAS) to encourage crack users to receive HIV testing. The second part of the intervention consists of training 8 Peer Leaders to recruit and lead a Peer Network Intervention among 400 crack users to change norms supporting HIV protective behaviors. The intervention will include monthly meetings open to crack using and non-crack using community residents to reinforce HIV risk reduction skills, and discussion of other topics related to HIV such as illicit drug use and interpersonal violence and community-wide HIV awareness events. Our hypothesis is that these two intervention features will singly, and in combination, reduce HIV risk behaviors among Salvadoran crack users.

Inclusion Criteria:

• 18 years or older
• used crack cocaine in the last 2 weeks

Exclusion Criteria:

• not giving informed consent
• under 18 years of age
• considered by research staff to be unfit or unable to give informed consent
• engages in continued disruptive behavior while participating in the project
• not using crack or cocaine in the last month