COUNSELOR PROMPTS TO INCREASE CONDOM TAKING DURING TREATMENT FOR COCAINE DEPENDENCE

This study examined whether active prompting would increase the number of free condoms taken from dispensers placed in counselors' offices i n a cocaine abuse treatment clinic. Using a combined multiple baseline and reversal design, two teams of counselors were instructed to activ ely prompt and encourage condom taking during some conditions and to a void commenting on or encouraging condom use in other conditions. To m onitor accuracy of implementing the intervention, counselors completed a checklist for every subject they saw in their office during the day . Overall, the number of condoms taken per visit during prompting cond itions was almost six times greater than during baseline conditions. H owever, implementation declined during the study, and all counselors c omplained about the intervention. Implications for dispensing free con doms to reduce HIV risk in drug abuse treatment clinics are discussed.