This study assesses the effectiveness of the Staying Safe (Ssafe) intervention in reducing both injection-related Hepatitis C (HCV) and HIV risk behavior, and HCV incidence among young adults (ages 18-29) who inject opioids (heroin and/or prescription opioids). Ssafe is an innovative, strengths-based, socio-behavioral HCV prevention intervention found in preliminary research to be highly acceptable and feasible, with strong indications of efficacy. The proposed trial promises to significantly advance our ability to prevent HCV infection in the growing population of young, prescription opioid-initiated injectors.
Project Investigators
Pedro Mateu-Gelabert PI
Associate Professor of Community Health and Social Sciences
Honoria Guarino PI
Research Associate Professor
Project Staff
Chunki Fong
Research Scientist