RUSSIA (2009): SUBSTANCE USE AND HIV/AIDS TRAC STUDY ASSESSING RISK BEHAVIOR AND SEEKING OF MEDICAL SERVICES AMONG STUDENTS OF VOCATIONAL TRAINING COLLEGES IN EKATERINBURG ROUND ONE

This is the first stage of a study conducted among students of vocational training colleges (referred to as PTUs) in Ekaterinburg. The goals of the study were: to assess key behavioral patterns related to health, HIV prevention, and drug use; and to outline determinants of high-risk behavior (with regard to HIV). The study's design is experimental: two groups are compared to one that is subject to measures implemented by PSI/Russia, and one that is not. This stage describes baseline data before PSI/Russia measures are implemented in the intervention group. For the purposes of the analysis the sample from PTUs where the intervention is to be implemented are referred to as the "intervention group". The sample from PTUs where there are currently no plans for the PSI intervention to be implemented are called the "reference group." The study is based on a random sample of students of vocational training colleges with dormitories. Each student's chances of becoming part of the study group was proportional to the size of the PTU, i.e. students from larger PTUs had a greater chance of becoming part of the study, but the chances of any student from a given PTU were equal to those of every other student at the same PTU. Sample sizes for both groups are enough to conduct monitoring analysis and total sample (both groups together) is enough to perform segmentation analysis. With regard to the fact that some of the students were under 18, their participation in t he study was only possible with written consent of their parents or guardians. Participation was voluntary; students had to personally give oral consent for interviews. Interviews were conducted in rooms that ensured confidentiality.