title: A novel approach to prevention for at-risk HIV-negative men who have sex with men: creating a teachable moment to promote informed sexual decision-making.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  As a result of the impact of HIV among men who have sex with men (MSM), multiple strategies for reducing HIV risks have emerged from within the gay community. One common HIV risk reduction strategy limits unprotected sex partners to those who are of the same HIV status (serosorting). We tested a novel, brief, one-on-one intervention, based on informed decision-making and delivered by peer counselors, designed to address the limitations of serosorting (e.g., risk for HIV transmission).
  
  
  METHODS
  In 2009, we recruited a group of 149 at-risk men living in Atlanta, Georgia, and randomly assigned them to an intervention condition addressing serosorting or a standard-of-care control condition.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Men in the serosorting intervention reported fewer sexual partners (Wald χ(2) = 8.79, P < .01) at the study follow-ups. Behavioral results were also consistent with changes in psychosocial variables, including condom use self-efficacy and perceptions of risk for HIV transmission.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  With the current intervention, service providers can offer risk reduction for men arguably at the highest risk for HIV infection in the United States. Addressing risks associated with serosorting in a feasible, low-cost intervention has the potential to significantly affect the HIV epidemic.
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA. lisaanne.eaton@gmail.com
authors.forename: Lisa A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Eaton
authors.forename: Chauncey
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cherry
authors.forename: Demetria
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Cain
authors.forename: Howard
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Pope
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001727:Bisexuality; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003657:Decision Making; D005845:Georgia; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission; D018023:HIV Seronegativity; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D018451:Homosexuality, Male; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010379:Peer Group; D040242:Risk Reduction Behavior; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D015229:Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Viral / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission; D016896:Treatment Outcome