Mayor Angel M, Fernández Diana M, Colón Héctor M, Thomas James C, Hunter-Mellado Robert F
Retrovirus Research Center, Internal Medicine Department, Universidad Central del Caribe, School of Medicine, Bayamón, Puerto Rico, USA.
Ethn Dis. 2008 Spring;18(2 Suppl 2):S2-195-9.
Hepatitis C (HCV) and HIV coinfection has emerged as a major health problem in Puerto Rico, particularly among injection drug users (IDUs). We developed and implemented a multimedia educational intervention for HIV-infected IDUs, based on the Health Belief Model and social cognitive theory.
To evaluate the program's acceptability, a group of 42 participants completed a written questionnaire immediately after each intervention component.
Participants were 85% male, the mean age was 41.6 years (standard deviation 9.2 years), and mean educational level was ninth grade. More than 73% of respondents reported that the computer-based program was very easy to operate. More than 83% agreed that the audio and video tools highly facilitated their learning process, and > 71% agreed that the sessions were long enough. Additionally, they reported a high incremental increase in perceived knowledge regarding HIV/HCV co-infection, HCV infection risk behaviors, HCV complications, HCV preventive measures, and HCV diagnosis and therapy. Most of the participants favored the dissemination of this intervention.
The study found a very good acceptability and feasibility of the computerized intervention in the study group. This new technology that includes audiovisual tools in its design kept the participants' attention and interest, while increasing HIV/HCV co-infection knowledge. Subsequent studies will evaluate the efficacy of this intervention, investigating changes in knowledge and risk behaviors among HIV-infected persons.
丙型肝炎（HCV）与人类免疫缺陷病毒（HIV）合并感染已成为波多黎各一个主要的健康问题，在注射吸毒者（IDU）中尤为突出。我们基于健康信念模型和社会认知理论，为感染HIV的注射吸毒者开发并实施了一项多媒体教育干预措施。
为评估该项目的可接受性，一组42名参与者在每个干预环节结束后立即填写了一份书面问卷。
参与者中85%为男性，平均年龄为41.6岁（标准差9.2岁），平均教育水平为九年级。超过73%的受访者表示基于计算机的项目非常易于操作。超过83%的人认为音频和视频工具极大地促进了他们的学习过程，超过71%的人认为课程时长足够。此外，他们报告称在关于HIV/HCV合并感染、HCV感染风险行为、HCV并发症、HCV预防措施以及HCV诊断和治疗方面的感知知识有显著增加。大多数参与者赞成推广这种干预措施。
该研究发现计算机化干预措施在研究组中具有很好的可接受性和可行性。这种在设计中包含视听工具的新技术能够吸引参与者的注意力并激发他们的兴趣，同时增加了HIV/HCV合并感染的知识。后续研究将评估这种干预措施的效果，调查HIV感染者在知识和风险行为方面的变化。
