The Influence of Neurocognitive Impairment on HIV Risk Reduction Intervention Outcomes among Drug Dependent Methadone‐Maintained Patients

Injection drug users (IDUs) represent a significant vector for contracting and transmission of HIV infection, which occurs through preventable drug- and sex-related risk behaviors. Accordingly, IDUs remain a target population of HIV risk reduction behavioral interventions. Previous findings show that it is feasible to provide a brief behavioral risk reduction group intervention to high risk HIV-infected IDUs in a community-based setting to reduce HIV risk-related outcomes. In order for behavioral interventions to be effective, a relatively high level of cognitive abilities is required. Evidence shows that chronic drug use can affect the central nervous system and this may result in neurocognitive impairment that could potentially interfere with optimal participation in such behavioral interventions. Few efforts have been made to determine how neurocognitive impairment may negatively impact intervention participation and, in turn, outcomes in this population. In this study high-risk HIV-negative opioid-dependent drug users seeking drug treatment in a community based methadone program received 4-session of Community-Friendly Health Recovery Program (CHRP)vs. a Control condition to evaluate whether there is a significant association between cognitive impairment and HIV risk reduction intervention outcomes