title: Rationale, Design and Methods of the Ecological Study of Sexual Behaviors and HIV/STI among African American Men Who Have Sex with Men in the Southeastern United States (The MARI Study).
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This paper describes the rationale, design, and methodology of the Ecological Study of Sexual Behaviors and HIV/STI among African American Men Who Have Sex with Men (MSM) in the Southeastern United States (U.S.; known locally simply as the MARI Study).
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants are African American MSM aged 18 years and older residing in the deep South.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Between 2013 and 2015, 800 African American MSM recruited from two study sites (Jackson, MS and Atlanta, GA) will undergo a 1.5-hour examination to obtain anthropometric and blood pressure measures as well as to undergo testing for sexually transmitted infections (STI), including HIV. Intrapersonal, interpersonal, and environmental factors are assessed by audio computer-assisted self-interview survey. Primary outcomes include sexual risk behaviors (e.g., condomless anal sex) and prevalent STIs (HIV, syphilis, gonorrhea, and Chlamydia).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The MARI Study will typify the HIV environmental 'riskscape' and provide empirical evidence into novel ecological correlates of HIV risk among African American MSM in the deep South, a population most heavily impacted by HIV. The study's anticipated findings will be of interest to a broad audience and lead to more informed prevention efforts, including effective policies and interventions, that achieve the goals of the updated 2020 U.S. National HIV/AIDS Strategy.
authors.affiliation: Center for Research, Evaluation and Environmental & Policy Change, My Brother's Keeper, Inc, 510 George Street, Unit 100, Jackson, MS, United States of America.|Department of Medicine, University of Mississippi Medical Center, 2500 North State Street, Jackson, MS 39213, United States of America.
authors.forename: DeMarc A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Hickson
authors.affiliation: Center for Research, Evaluation and Environmental & Policy Change, My Brother's Keeper, Inc, 510 George Street, Unit 100, Jackson, MS, United States of America.
authors.forename: Nhan L
authors.initials: NL
authors.lastname: Truong
authors.affiliation: R.E.D. Institute, AID Atlanta, Inc., 1605 Peachtree Street NE, Atlanta, GA 30309, United States of America.
authors.forename: Neena
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Smith-Bankhead
authors.affiliation: Center for Research, Evaluation and Environmental & Policy Change, My Brother's Keeper, Inc, 510 George Street, Unit 100, Jackson, MS, United States of America.
authors.forename: Nikendrick
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Sturdevant
authors.affiliation: Department of Population Health, New York University School of Medicine, 227 E 30th Street Room 621, New York, NY, 10016, United States of America.
authors.forename: Dustin T
authors.initials: DT
authors.lastname: Duncan
authors.affiliation: R.E.D. Institute, AID Atlanta, Inc., 1605 Peachtree Street NE, Atlanta, GA 30309, United States of America.
authors.forename: Jordan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Schnorr
authors.affiliation: Center for Community-Based Programs, My Brother's Keeper, Inc, 710 Avignon Drive, Ridgeland, MS, United States of America.
authors.forename: June A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Gipson
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of Mississippi Medical Center, 2500 North State Street, Jackson, MS 39213, United States of America.
authors.forename: Leandro A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Mena
mesh_terms: D001741:Black or African American / Q000523:psychology*; D000886:Anthropometry; D015340:Epidemiologic Research Design; D005845:Georgia; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission; D018451:Homosexuality, Male; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008922:Mississippi; D015995:Prevalence; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012737:Sex Factors; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors