title: Feasibility and promise of a couple-based HIV/STI preventive intervention for methamphetamine-using, black men who have sex with men.
abstract: Accumulating evidence supports couple-based approaches for HIV/STI preventive interventions. Yet, to date, no studies have examined couple-based sexual risk reductions intervention specifically for men who have sex with men (MSM) from populations with elevated rates of HIV/STI transmission, such as black MSM and methamphetamine-involved MSM. We pilot tested-using a pre-/post-test design-a seven-session couple-based intervention for black, methamphetamine-using, black MSM couples engaging in sexual risk. Feasibility was assessed via recruitment and retention rates; potential efficacy relied on self-reported sexual risk and drug use prior to and two months following intervention delivery. We enrolled 34 couples (N = 68 men). Over 80% attended all seven intervention sessions, and retention exceeded 95% at two-month follow-up. At follow-up, participants reported significantly fewer sexual partners, fewer episodes of unprotected anal sex, and greater condom use with their main partner; participants also reported significantly less methamphetamine use, any illicit drug use, and number of illicit drugs used. These findings indicate that couple-based HIV/STI intervention is feasible and promising for at-risk black MSM couples.
authors.affiliation: Social Intervention Group, Columbia University School of Social Work, New York, NY, USA. ew157@columbia.edu
authors.forename: Elwin
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Nabila
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: El-Bassel
authors.forename: L Donald
authors.initials: LD
authors.lastname: McVinney
authors.forename: Leona
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Hess
authors.forename: Robert H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Remien
authors.forename: Mahnaz
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Charania
authors.forename: Gordon
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mansergh
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D019969:Amphetamine-Related Disorders; D044383:Black People; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005191:Family Characteristics; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission; D018451:Homosexuality, Male / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008694:Methamphetamine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012747:Sexual Partners; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission; D047568:Unsafe Sex; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D008694:Methamphetamine