Introduction

This manual describes a cognitive-behavioural program for reducing the HIV risktaking behaviour of injecting drug users (IDUs). In two studies (both randomised controlled trials) this program was shown to successfully reduce injecting risk-taking behaviours without necessarily reducing drug use. It did not, however, have any impact on the sexual risk-taking behaviours of IDUs.

Caveats

The techniques described in this manual are based on psychological research. Health workers who do not have a background in psychology may find it helpful to arrange for supervision or consultation with a psychologist while learning to apply the techniques. While the techniques may be adapted for different situations (for example, group work) it must be borne in mind that the effectiveness of the program was established using the techniques exactly as described in this manual.

Organisation of this manual

The program contained six sessions of cognitive-behavioural techniques conducted on a one-to-one basis. This manual first describes some of the theoretical background to the program. A chapter is then devoted to each session of the program.