Stressful point-of-care rapid testing for human immunodeficiency virus, hepatitis C virus, and syphilis.

Even with technological advances in point-of-care rapid testing for HIV, hepatitis, and syphilis, individuals may still find the experience of submitting to testing, and receiving results, to be stressful. Participants completed the rapid test experience questionnaires to assess stress both prior to and after the specimen collection. Participants completed the risk behavior assessment, the coping strategies indicator, and the Barratt impulsivity scale.

The Impact of Acculturation, Motivation and the Therapeutic Alliance on Treatment Retention and Outcomes for Hispanic Drug Involved Probationers.

Factors associated with retention and outcomes for Hispanic offenders mandated to treatment for substance use disorders have been overlooked in the literature resulting in an impediment to providing evidence-based, culturally relevant treatment services. This project examined the roles of motivational factors, the therapeutic relationship, and acculturation in predicting treatment retention and recidivism among Hispanic male probationers mandated to residential treatment. By following a treatment cohort over one hundred and twenty days, this research identifies factors that may be targeted to improve interventions and policies.

Exploring the perspectives of substance abusing Black men who have sex with men and women in addiction treatment programs: a need for a human sexuality educational model for addiction professionals.

This study examined the perspectives of African American male injection drug users who have sex with both men and women (IDU-MSM/W) and who are involved in sex trade regarding the need for a human sexuality educational model (HSEM) for addiction professionals. Focus groups were conducted involving an exploratory sample (N = 105) of men who met the following parameters: aged 18 to 40 years, African American, engage in injection drug using behavior, have sex with male and female partners, and who frequent parks and other sex working areas in Baltimore City and surrounding areas. Data suggest that an HSEM may be useful for addiction professionals who work with substance abusing Black MSM/W.

Harm reduction: a social work practice model and social justice agenda.

Efforts in the United States to eradicate drug use through supply reduction (that is, the War on Drugs) have increasingly violated the principles of social justice and human rights, both locally and globally. This has created ethical conflicts for social workers in policy making, practice, and research. Harm reduction has been conceptualized as a peace movement and is aligned with the humanistic values around which social work is organized.