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Safety Counts

An Effective Practice

Description

The Safety Counts program is designed to reduce behaviors which place drug users at a high risk of becoming infected with HIV. The program uses highly specialized trainers to deliver group and individual counseling session. The sessions help the participants identify their high-risk behaviors, understand how to reduce their risks and assists participants to set personal goals. Moreover, the trainers refer participants to necessary medical services.

Program participants are recruited through either HIV testing centers and programs or through Peer Driven Recruitment. In the Peer Driven Recruitment model, a social network of peers spreads information about the program by word-of-mouth. This model has been proven to be effective in recruiting to hard-to-reach populations and people at particularly high-risk for HIV.

Goal / Mission

The goal of the Safety Counts is to reduce behaviors which place drug users at a high risk of HIV infection.

Results / Accomplishments

Compared to the control group, participants in the Safety Counts program were 1.5 times more likely to reduce drug and sex-related risks of HIV infection, and were 2.5 times more likely to report an increase in condom use.

About this Promising Practice

Organization(s)
Center for Diseases Control and Prevention
Primary Contact
Topics
Health / Immunizations & Infectious Diseases
Health / Alcohol & Drug Use
Organization(s)
Center for Diseases Control and Prevention
Source
Diffusion of Effective Behavioral Interventions (DEBI)
Date of publication
Nov 2006
Location
USA
For more details
Target Audience
Adults, Women, Men
Additional Audience
drug users