Behavioral risk assessment for infectious diseases (BRAID): Self-report instrument to assess injection and noninjection risk behaviors in substance users.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Infectious diseases such as Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Hepatitis C are a significant problem among substance abusers. Current risk behavior measures [e.g., HIV Risk Taking Behaviour Scale (HRBS) and Risk Assessment Battery (RAB)] were developed for injection drug users and do not include newly identified risks or noninjection drug use behaviors. This study developed and provided initial, internal validation of the Behavioral Risk Assessment for Infectious Diseases (BRAID) to assess infectious disease risk behaviors among alcohol and other drug users.

METHODS:

A self-report measure was developed from literature regarding risk behaviors. Participants (total N=998) with alcohol/substance use disorder completed the measure in 2 phases to establish initial psychometric validity.

RESULTS:

Phase 1 (N=270) completed 65 self-report questions; factor analysis revealed a 12-item solution with 5 factors (Unprotected Sex with Risky Partners, Injection Use, Sex on Cocaine/Crack, Condom Availability, and Intranasal Drug Use). Infectious disease history was positively associated with Injection Use (Sample 1) and Unprotected Sex with Risky Partners (Sample 2) and negatively associated with Intranasal Drug Use (Samples 1 and 2). Phase 2 (N=728) added additional injection-related items and confirmed the factor structure of the existing BRAID.

CONCLUSIONS:

The BRAID is a 5-factor, 14-item self-report measure of past 6 month risk behaviors that is composed of noninjection and injection risk behaviors and was psychometrically confirmed. Though additional external (convergent/divergent) validation is needed, this report provides preliminary support for the use of the BRAID to assess infectious disease risk in substance users.

• Authors: Kelly E Dunn, Frederick S Barrett, Evan S Herrmann, Jennifer G Plebani, Stacey C Sigmon, Matthew W Johnson
• Journal: Drug and alcohol dependence (Drug Alcohol Depend) Vol. 168 Pg. 69-75 (Nov 01 2016) ISSN: 1879-0046 [Electronic] Ireland
• PMID: 27615403 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Crack Cocaine

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Condoms (statistics & numerical data)
• Crack Cocaine
• Drug Users (psychology)
• Female
• HIV Infections (complications, psychology)
• Hepatitis C (complications, psychology)
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Risk Assessment
• Risk-Taking
• Self Report
• Sexual Behavior (psychology)
• Sexual Partners
• Substance Abuse, Intravenous (complications, psychology)
• Substance-Related Disorders (complications, psychology)
• Unsafe Sex (psychology)
• Young Adult