Effect of an online video-based intervention to increase HIV testing in men who have sex with men in Peru.
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.
Blas
Magaly M
MM
Unit of Epidemiology, HIV and STD, School of Public Health and Administration, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru. blasmag@u.washington.edu
Alva
Isaac E
IE
Carcamo
Cesar P
CP
Cabello
Robinson
R
Goodreau
Steven M
SM
Kimball
Ann M
AM
Kurth
Ann E
AE
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
Focus. 2002 Apr;17(5):4-6
12064293
Am J Health Promot. 1998 Sep-Oct;13(1):19-25
10186931
AIDS Care. 2003 Dec;15(6):787-93
14617500
Sex Transm Infect. 2007 Dec;83(7):567-70
17932128
PLoS Med. 2008 Jun 24;5(6):e135
18578564
Sex Transm Dis. 1995 Mar-Apr;22(2):97-103
7624818
Health Educ Res. 2007 Feb;22(1):120-7
16849391
AIDS Educ Prev. 2006 Aug;18(4):348-61
16961451
J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr. 2002 Oct 1;31(2):202-10
12394799
AIDS Care. 2004 Nov;16(8):931-43
15511725
AIDS Alert. 2008 Feb;23(2):18-9
18574879
Comput Biol Med. 1998 Sep;28(5):489-508
9861507
Sex Transm Dis. 2005 Feb;32(2):139-41
15668622
J Med Internet Res. 2008 May 15;10(2):e13
18487137
AIDS Behav. 2006 Jul;10(4):431-5
16501868
PLoS Med. 2007 Feb;4(2):e11
17326701
Health Educ Res. 2001 Dec;16(6):661-70
11780706
Health Promot Pract. 2010 May;11(3):408-17
18544663
MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2004 Feb 20;53(6):129-31
14981362
J Consult Clin Psychol. 1991 Apr;59(2):295-304
2030191
Health Psychol. 1994 Jan;13(1):39-46
8168470