SKILLS FOR HIV RISK REDUCTION - EVALUATION OF RECALL AND PERFORMANCE IN INJECTING DRUG-USERS

Evaluation of recall and performance skills required to clean needles/ syringes was conducted in Dade County with 393 injecting drugs users ( IDUs) in 1988-1989. The study was guided by a question of the extent o f correct cleaning of needles/syringes. A free recall procedure which combined cognitive and psychomotor testing provided a means of verifyi ng knowledge and skills. The results show that injecting drug users we re able to learn and retain knowledge and skills necessary to prevent risk of HIV infection by use of needles/syringes. Tests of knowledge a nd performance 6 months after training showed high retention of the ma terial learned. The population at risk is capable of reducing the spre ad of HIV. The impact would be greater with perfect performance, but e ven with partial performance, some preventative impact could be assume d provided exposure time to bleach exceeds 30 seconds.