Kelly E Dunn1, Frederick S Barrett2, Evan S Herrmann3, Jennifer G Plebani4, Stacey C Sigmon5, Matthew W Johnson2. 1. Behavioral Pharmacology Research Unit, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, 5510 Nathan Shock Drive, Baltimore, MD, 21224, United States. Electronic address: kdunn9@jhmi.edu. 2. Behavioral Pharmacology Research Unit, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, 5510 Nathan Shock Drive, Baltimore, MD, 21224, United States. 3. New York State Psychiatric Institute, United States. 4. University of Pennsylvania Department of Psychiatry, Treatment Research Center, United States. 5. University of Vermont College of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, United States.
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.
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: Nora D Volkow; Gene-Jack Wang; Joanna S Fowler; Frank Telang; Millard Jayne; Christopher Wong Journal: Am J Psychiatry Date: 2007-01 Impact factor: 18.112
Authors: David W Purcell; Yuko Mizuno; Lisa R Metsch; Richard Garfein; Karin Tobin; Kelly Knight; Mary H Latka Journal: J Urban Health Date: 2006-07 Impact factor: 3.671
Authors: Caitlin Conrad; Heather M Bradley; Dita Broz; Swamy Buddha; Erika L Chapman; Romeo R Galang; Daniel Hillman; John Hon; Karen W Hoover; Monita R Patel; Andrea Perez; Philip J Peters; Pam Pontones; Jeremy C Roseberry; Michelle Sandoval; Jessica Shields; Jennifer Walthall; Dorothy Waterhouse; Paul J Weidle; Hsiu Wu; Joan M Duwve Journal: MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep Date: 2015-05-01 Impact factor: 17.586
Authors: Matthew W Johnson; Evan S Herrmann; Mary M Sweeney; Robert S LeComte; Patrick S Johnson Journal: Psychopharmacology (Berl) Date: 2016-12-05 Impact factor: 4.530
Authors: Erin E Bonar; Maureen A Walton; Kristen L Barry; Amy S B Bohnert; Stephen T Chermack; Rebecca M Cunningham; Lynn S Massey; Rosalinda V Ignacio; Frederic C Blow Journal: Drug Alcohol Depend Date: 2017-12-11 Impact factor: 4.492
Authors: Tatum N Oleskowicz; Taylor A Ochalek; Kelly R Peck; Gary J Badger; Stacey C Sigmon Journal: Drug Alcohol Depend Date: 2021-01-20 Impact factor: 4.492