title: [HIV prevention using the operative group approach among men who have sex with men in São Paulo, Brazil].
abstract: This study aimed to evaluate the operative group as a preventive approach among men who have sex with men that use two public health services in the city of São Paulo, Brazil. One hundred volunteers were randomly allocated to two groups (intervention and control, with 50 each). All participants answered questionnaires in two phases: before the intervention and six months after its conclusion. Effect was measured by comparing the groups for the following outcomes: median number of anal sex acts without condoms and responses from the participants to questions about HIV infection. 69 participants completed the study (34 in the prevention group and 35 in the control group). Analysis showed a decrease in the number of unprotected anal sex acts (p = 0.029) and an increase in the number of answers favoring prevention in the intervention group. The results indicate that the study group was responsive to a safer sex operative group intervention. Further research is necessary to evaluate the feasibility of this prevention approach as a public health strategy, including other social groups.
authors: Instituto de Psicologia, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Prof. Mello Moraes 1721, São Paulo, SP 05508-030, Brazil. robcol@usp.br
authors: Robson
authors: R
authors: Colosio
authors: Maria Inês Assumpção
authors: MI
authors: Fernandes
authors: Denise Pimentel
authors: DP
authors: Bergamaschi
authors: Ianni Régia
authors: IR
authors: Scarcelli
authors: Isabel Cristina
authors: IC
authors: Lopes
authors: Norman
authors: N
authors: Hearst
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001938:Brazil; D017280:Condoms / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control*; D018451:Homosexuality, Male; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D021841:Safe Sex / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires