PSYCHOSOCIAL ANTECEDENTS OF NEEDLE-SYRINGE DISINFECTION BY DRUG-USERS- A THEORY-BASED PROSPECTIVE ANALYSIS

Working from the AIDS risk reduction model and other theories of behav ior change, we tested psychosocial antecedents of needle/syringe disin fection by 136 injection drug users. High perceived self-efficacy for risk reduction exerted a positive effect on needles/syringe disinfecti on attempts 1 year later. Self-efficacy was, in turn, related to lower perceived infection risk, peer norms more favorable to risk reduction , and greater knowledge of AIDS. Behavioral intention had no significa nt: effect on subsequent disinfection attempts. These results suggest that disinfecting needles/syringes is partly non-volitional; that high perceived infection risk: may be counterproductive to injection risk reduction; and that perceive self-efficacy, but not intention to chang e behavior, may be a useful leverage point for AIDS preventive interve ntion.