title: Effect of an online video-based intervention to increase HIV testing in men who have sex with men in Peru.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Although many men who have sex with men (MSM) in Peru are unaware of their HIV status, they are frequent users of the Internet, and can be approached by that medium for promotion of HIV testing.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted an online randomized controlled trial to compare the effect of HIV-testing motivational videos versus standard public health text, both offered through a gay website. The videos were customized for two audiences based on self-identification: either gay or non-gay men. The outcomes evaluated were 'intention to get tested' and 'HIV testing at the clinic.'
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the non-gay identified group, 97 men were randomly assigned to the video-based intervention and 90 to the text-based intervention. Non-gay identified participants randomized to the video-based intervention were more likely to report their intention of getting tested for HIV within the next 30 days (62.5% vs. 15.4%, Relative Risk (RR): 2.77, 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 1.42-5.39). After a mean of 125.5 days of observation (range 42-209 days), 11 participants randomized to the video and none of the participants randomized to text attended our clinic requesting HIV testing (p = 0.001). In the gay-identified group, 142 men were randomized to the video-based intervention and 130 to the text-based intervention. Gay-identified participants randomized to the video were more likely to report intentions of getting an HIV test within 30 days, although not significantly (50% vs. 21.6%, RR: 1.54, 95% CI: 0.74-3.20). At the end of follow up, 8 participants who watched the video and 10 who read the text visited our clinic for HIV testing (Hazard Ratio: 1.07, 95% CI: 0.40-2.85).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study provides some evidence of the efficacy of a video-based online intervention in improving HIV testing among non-gay-identified MSM in Peru. This intervention may be adopted by institutions with websites oriented to motivate HIV testing among similar MSM populations.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Clinicaltrials.gov NCT00751192.
authors.affiliation: Unit of Epidemiology, HIV and STD, School of Public Health and Administration, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru. blasmag@u.washington.edu
authors.forename: Magaly M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Blas
authors.forename: Isaac E
authors.initials: IE
authors.lastname: Alva
authors.forename: Cesar P
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Carcamo
authors.forename: Robinson
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Cabello
authors.forename: Steven M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Goodreau
authors.forename: Ann M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Kimball
authors.forename: Ann E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Kurth
mesh_terms: D003710:Demography; D003955:Diagnostic Tests, Routine / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006266:Health Education; D018451:Homosexuality, Male / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009862:Online Systems; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D010568:Peru; D012309:Risk-Taking; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014743:Videotape Recording
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