Effectiveness of an HIV Prevention Program That Targets the Inner Workings of High-risk Social Networks

Network leaders will receive a nine-session training segment designed to enable them to motivate their peer networks to reduce sexual risk. The sessions will teach the identified leader of each network how to communicate HIV prevention messages to other members of his or her personal social network. Leaders will be asked to share these messages with other members of their groups.

Participants will undergo interviews about their friendship groups, sexual behavior, substance abuse, STD treatment history, condom use, and beliefs about HIV/AIDS. Participants will undergo a brief session about HIV/AIDS prevention methods after the first interview.