title: Effects of a behavioral intervention to reduce serodiscordant unsafe sex among HIV positive men who have sex with men: the Positive Connections randomized controlled trial study.
abstract: Few behavioral interventions have been conducted to reduce high-risk sexual behavior among HIV-positive Men who have Sex with Men (HIV+ MSM). Hence, we lack well-proven interventions for this population. Positive Connections is a randomized controlled trial (n = 675 HIV+ MSM) comparing the effects of two sexual health seminars--for HIV+ MSM and all MSM--with a contrast prevention video arm. Baseline, 6-, 12- and 18-month follow-up surveys assessed psychosexual variables and frequency of serodiscordant unprotected anal intercourse (SDUAI). At post-test, intentions to avoid transmission were significantly higher in the sexual health arms. However, SDUAI frequency decreased equally across arms. HIV+ MSM engaging in SDUAI at baseline were more likely to leave the study. Tailoring interventions to HIV+ MSM did not increase their effectiveness in this study. A sexual health approach appeared as effective as an untailored video-based HIV prevention intervention in reducing SDUAI among HIV+ MSM.
authors.affiliation: Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, University of Minnesota, 300 WBOB, 1300 S. 2nd St., Minneapolis, MN 55454, USA. rosser@umn.edu
authors.forename: B R Simon
authors.initials: BR
authors.lastname: Rosser
authors.forename: Laura A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Hatfield
authors.forename: Michael H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Miner
authors.forename: Margherita E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Ghiselli
authors.forename: Brian R
authors.initials: BR
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Seth L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Welles
mesh_terms: D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology / Q000635:transmission; D006266:Health Education / Q000379:methods*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D018451:Homosexuality, Male / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012309:Risk-Taking; D021841:Safe Sex / Q000523:psychology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D047568:Unsafe Sex / Q000523:psychology*