A Small-Changes Weight Loss Programfor African-American Church Members.

Objective: To test whether a previously tested, small-changes weight loss program could be translated for use in African American churches.

Methods: The program consisted of 12 group sessions held weekly at a partner church. Key intervention messages were disseminated via Facebook.

Physical victimization and high-risk sexual partners among illicit drug-using heterosexual men in New York City.

Physical victimization has been linked to high-risk sexual partnerships in women. Although illicit drug-using heterosexual men are at high-risk of physical victimization, the association between violence and high-risk partners in heterosexual men has received little attention in the published literature. We examined the association between experience of severe physical victimization and acquisition of a high-risk sexual partner (i.

The Relationship Between Multiple Forms of Discrimination, Neighborhood Characteristics, and Depression Among Illicit Drug Users in New York City.

It is plausible that features of the social environment combined with experiences of discrimination may help further explain experiences of depression among illicit drug users. We examined the influence of census tract-level characteristics and multiple forms of individual-level discrimination on lifetime depression among illicit drug users in New York City enrolled in the "Social Ties Associated With Risk of Transition" study. Population average models accounted for clustering of individuals within census tracts.

Social network members' roles and use of mental health services among drug users in New York City.

Depression is more common among drug users (15-63 %) than the general population (5-16 %). Lack of social support network members may be associated with low mental health service (MHS) use rates observed among drug users. We investigated the relationship between social network members' roles and MHS use among frequent drug users using Social Ties Associated with Risk of Transition into Injection Drug Use data (NYC 2006-2009).

Social and individual risk determinants of HIV testing practices among noninjection drug users at high risk for HIV/AIDS.

HIV testing services and research among drug users has largely focused on injection drug users (IDUs); yet noninjection drug users (NIDUs) are also at increased risk for HIV due to high-risk sexual behaviors and overlapping networks with IDUs. This study examined drug use, sexual risk, and social network characteristics associated with recent HIV testing (testing within past year) among NIDUs. Interviewer-administered questionnaires were conducted among 418 NIDUs and log-binomial regression models were used to identify correlates of recent HIV testing.

The relationship between perceived discrimination and high-risk social ties among illicit drug users in New York City, 2006-2009.

Discrimination can influence risk of disease by promoting unhealthy behaviors (e.g., smoking, alcohol use).

Differences in self-reported discrimination by primary type of drug used among New York City drug users.

Background: Illicit drug users experience various forms of discrimination which may vary by type of drug used, as there are different levels of stigma associated with different types of drugs.

Objectives: This study investigated self-report of perceived discrimination by primary type of drug used.

Methods: This analysis used data from "Social Ties Associated with Risk of Transition into Injection Drug Use" (START), a cross-sectional study of recently initiated injection drug users (IDUs) and prospective study of heroin/crack/cocaine-using non-IDUs (n = 652).

Individual, study, and neighborhood level characteristics associated with peer recruitment of young illicit drug users in New York City: optimizing respondent driven sampling.

Recruiting a representative sample using respondent driven sampling (RDS) relies on successful peer recruitment. While prior studies have identified individual-level characteristics associated with peer recruitment, study- and neighborhood-level factors may also influence peer recruitment. This analysis aimed to identify individual-, study-, and neighborhood-level factors associated with RDS peer recruitment.

Factors associated with differential uptake of seasonal influenza immunizations among underserved communities during the 2009-2010 influenza season.

Influenza vaccination coverage remains low and disparities persist. In New York City, a community-based participatory research project (Project VIVA) worked to address this issue in Harlem and the South Bronx by supplementing existing vaccination programs with non-traditional venues (i.e.

The association between parental risk behaviors during childhood and having high risk networks in adulthood.

Background: Prior research suggests that both social networks and parent drug use influence individual drug use among adolescents and that peers continue to influence drug use among adults. This analysis aims to determine whether parent drug use during childhood is associated with having drug-using networks in adulthood after adjusting for individual adult drug use.

Methods: 650 young adult drug users were recruited through targeted street outreach and respondent-driven sampling in New York City (2006-2009).

Does respondent driven sampling alter the social network composition and health-seeking behaviors of illicit drug users followed prospectively?

Respondent driven sampling (RDS) was originally developed to sample and provide peer education to injection drug users at risk for HIV. Based on the premise that drug users' social networks were maintained through sharing rituals, this peer-driven approach to disseminate educational information and reduce risk behaviors capitalizes and expands upon the norms that sustain these relationships. Compared with traditional outreach interventions, peer-driven interventions produce greater reductions in HIV risk behaviors and adoption of safer behaviors over time, however, control and intervention groups are not similarly recruited.

Subpopulations of illicit drug users reached by targeted street outreach and respondent-driven sampling strategies: implications for research and public health practice.

Purpose: To determine whether illicit drug users recruited through respondent-driven sampling (RDS) and targeted street outreach (TSO) differ by comparing two samples recruited concurrently with respect to sample selection and potential recruitment biases.

Methods: Two hundred seventeen (217) heroin, crack, and cocaine users aged 18-40 years were recruited through TSO in New York City (2006-2009). Forty-six RDS seeds were recruited similarly and concurrently, yielding a maximum of 14 recruitment waves and 357 peer recruits.

Smoking and oral contraceptive continuation.

Background: Smoking may be related to early discontinuation of oral contraceptives (OC).

Study Design: This was a planned secondary analysis of a randomized clinical trial. Women aged less than 25 initiating OC at three inner-city publicly funded family planning clinics enrolled in the study.

Initiation of oral contraceptives--start now!

Purpose: Conventional practice for initiating oral contraceptive (OC) pills involves waiting to start the pills with the next menstrual period. We investigated whether immediate initiation of OCs would lead to improved continuation rates and therefore decreased pregnancy rates in adolescents aged 12-17 years.

Methods: Study subjects were recruited from adolescent women presenting to 2 inner city clinics requesting OCs.