ABSTRACT
Th e SHIELD (Self-Help in Eliminating Lethal Disease) project, initiated in 1996, was a theory-based, culturally tailored, experimental behavioral HIV prevention intervention targeting injection drug users and their social network members. Th e goal of the program was to train high-risk former and current drug users to promote HIV-preventive practices among their social network members, a critical strategy for health education of hard-to-reach drug-using populations. Th e targeted behavioral outcomes were reduction in injection drug risk practices, risky sexual practices, and injection drug use. Th e project utilized small-group, multisession training in peer health education skills, and a harm reduction perspective. Participants were encouraged to disseminate risk reduction messages to their drug and sex risk networks, that is, drug-sharing ties and sex partners. Participants were recruited in high-risk neighborhoods of Baltimore, Maryland. A randomized controlled study design was used, with an equal-attention control arm, and pre-and posttest evaluation. Both quantitative and qualitative methods were used for study evaluation.
