Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases
NIMH Collaborative HIV/STD Prevention Trial
The NIMH Collaborative HIV/STD Prevention Trial is a two–tiered randomized, community–level trial being conducted in five
countries: China, India, Perú, Russia, and Zimbabwe. It is the first international test of a community–level prevention program
and is based on the theory of diffusion of innovation using Community Public Opinion Leaders. In this intervention model, popular
opinion leaders within a high–risk population are systematically identified, recruited and trained to communicate risk reduction
messages to friends and acquaintances in the targeted population.
The intervention’s efficacy in reducing self–reported behavioral risk and incident STDs is assessed through baseline, 12– and
24–month interviews and the collection of biological specimens that are tested for STDs and HIV. Study results should provide the
first documentation and evaluation of the portability and adaptability of interventions cross–nationally and cross–culturally, and
provide insight on sexual risk behaviors and STD prevalence among members of the general population of St. Petersburg.
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