title: Systematic review of interventions to reduce problematic alcohol use in men who have sex with men.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Rates of heavy drinking, alcohol problems and alcohol-related disorders are high among men who have sex with men (MSM) and are an important public health issue. Associations between heavy drinking and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) acquisition among MSM also suggest that drinking may have more severe and chronic consequences for this population relative to others. Consequently, effective interventions to reduce heavy drinking and alcohol-related risk factors among MSM are needed.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a systematic review of randomised controlled trials of interventions to reduce heavy drinking and/or alcohol-related problems among MSM. We searched five electronic databases, screened 3722 records and identified 5 studies involving 1022 participants that satisfied inclusion criteria, which included having: (i) incorporated a comparison condition; (ii) randomised participants to groups; and (iii) reported quantitative outcomes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The methodological quality of studies varied, and meta-analysis was not conducted because of heterogeneity in intervention approaches and outcomes. Studies provided preliminary support for the use of motivational interviewing/motivational enhancement-based interventions (MI) and hybrid MI and cognitive behavioural therapy treatments for heavy drinking among MSM over no treatment. Perhaps the most important conclusion of this review, however, is that well-designed, theoretically informed research focused on establishing the efficacy of interventions for hazardous drinking and alcohol use disorders among MSM is alarmingly scarce.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Effective interventions to reduce hazardous drinking among MSM and prevent key alcohol-related outcomes, including risk for HIV transmission and health problems among HIV-positive MSM, are needed to mitigate health disparities in this population.
authors: Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences and Center for Alcohol and Addictions Studies, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, USA.
authors: Tyler B
authors: TB
authors: Wray
authors: Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences and Center for Alcohol and Addictions Studies, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, USA.
authors: Benjamin
authors: B
authors: Grin
authors: Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences and Center for Alcohol and Addictions Studies, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, USA.
authors: Leah
authors: L
authors: Dorfman
authors: Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences and Center for Alcohol and Addictions Studies, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, USA.
authors: Tiffany R
authors: TR
authors: Glynn
authors: Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences and Center for Alcohol and Addictions Studies, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, USA.
authors: Christopher W
authors: CW
authors: Kahler
authors: Department of Epidemiology, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, USA.
authors: Brandon D L
authors: BD
authors: Marshall
authors: Division of Infectious Diseases, The Miriam Hospital, The Warren Alpert School of Brown University, Providence, USA.
authors: Jacob J
authors: JJ
authors: van den Berg
authors: Division of Infectious Diseases, The Miriam Hospital, The Warren Alpert School of Brown University, Providence, USA.
authors: Nickolas D
authors: ND
authors: Zaller
authors: National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, USA.
authors: Kendall J
authors: KJ
authors: Bryant
authors: Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences and Center for Alcohol and Addictions Studies, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, USA.
authors: Don
authors: D
authors: Operario
mesh_terms: D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D019973:Alcohol-Related Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control*; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission; D054624:Health Status Disparities; D018451:Homosexuality, Male; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011634:Public Health; D012307:Risk Factors
keywords: alcohol; alcohol abuse; alcohol dependence; homosexuality; male