title: A randomized controlled study to evaluate the efficacy of an Internet-based intervention in reducing HIV risk behaviors among men who have sex with men in Hong Kong.
abstract: A randomized controlled study evaluated an Internet-based HIV behavioral intervention for men who have sex with men (MSM). Hong Kong Chinese men aged >or=18 having engaged in oral or anal MSM behaviors in the last six months were randomly allocated into the intervention (n=140) and the control groups (n=140). Participants were interviewed anonymously at the baseline and after six months. Interventions included periodic HIV information dissemination, monitoring of risk behaviors and interactive feedback, online peer counseling and provision of a hotline. The control group only received some educational materials. Efficacy of the intervention was not supported as no statistically significant between-group differences in background characteristics, HIV risk behaviors and perceptions were observed both at the baseline and after the 6-month period. Effectiveness of online interventions should not be taken for granted and evidence-based approach is warranted.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Epidemiology & Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong. jlau@cuhk.edu.hk
authors.forename: J T F
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Lau
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lau
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cheung
authors.forename: H Y
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Tsui
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health / Q000208:ethnology; D017280:Condoms / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D015497:HIV-1; D018451:Homosexuality, Male / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006723:Hong Kong / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D012747:Sexual Partners / Q000523:psychology*