title: A Group-Based Sexual Risk Reduction Intervention for Men Who Have Sex With Men in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam: Feasibility, Acceptability, and Preliminary Efficacy.
abstract: An emerging HIV epidemic can be seen among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Vietnam. There are currently no evidence-based behavioral sexual risk reduction interventions for MSM in this setting. Between October 2012 and June 2013, 100 high-risk MSM from Ho Chi Minh City were enrolled in an open pilot trial to assess feasibility and acceptability of a group-based, manualized sexual risk reduction intervention, and to preliminarily examine changes in primary and secondary outcomes. Participants completed a behavioral assessment battery and HIV testing at baseline, 3, and 6 months post-baseline. Over 80.0 % of the sample was <25 years old and 77.0 % identified as Bong kin ("hidden," masculine-appearing). Feasibility and acceptability of the program was evidenced by 87.0 % retention for the intervention sessions, 78.0 % completion of the 6 month assessment, and positive responses on evaluation forms and qualitative exit interviews. There was a decline in the number of condomless anal sex acts from baseline (6.32) to 3 month (2.06) and 6 month (2.49) follow-up (p < .0001). These data support the need for further testing of this group-based, behavioral HIV prevention intervention to reduce sexual risk behavior among MSM in Vietnam in a randomized controlled efficacy trial.
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Behavioral & Social Health Sciences, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, USA. matthew_mimiaga@brown.edu.|Institute for Community Health Promotion, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA. matthew_mimiaga@brown.edu.|Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA. matthew_mimiaga@brown.edu.|The Fenway Institute, Fenway Health, 1340 Boylston Street, Boston, MA, 02215, USA. matthew_mimiaga@brown.edu.
authors.forename: Matthew J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Mimiaga
authors.affiliation: The Fenway Institute, Fenway Health, 1340 Boylston Street, Boston, MA, 02215, USA.|Department of Social and Environmental Health, The London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK.
authors.forename: Elizabeth F
authors.initials: EF
authors.lastname: Closson
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Behavioral & Social Health Sciences, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, USA.|Institute for Community Health Promotion, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA.|The Fenway Institute, Fenway Health, 1340 Boylston Street, Boston, MA, 02215, USA.
authors.forename: Katie B
authors.initials: KB
authors.lastname: Biello
authors.affiliation: Harvard AIDS Initiative in Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
authors.forename: Huyen
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Nguyen
authors.affiliation: Harvard AIDS Initiative in Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.|Center for Applied Research on Men and Health, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
authors.forename: Quan Hoang
authors.initials: QH
authors.lastname: Nguyen
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA.
authors.forename: Catherine E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Oldenburg
authors.affiliation: The Life Centre, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
authors.forename: Hang Thi Xuan
authors.initials: HT
authors.lastname: Lan
authors.affiliation: The Fenway Institute, Fenway Health, 1340 Boylston Street, Boston, MA, 02215, USA.|Department of Psychology, The University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Steven A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Safren
authors.affiliation: The Fenway Institute, Fenway Health, 1340 Boylston Street, Boston, MA, 02215, USA.|Department of Global Health and Population, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA.
authors.forename: Kenneth H
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Mayer
authors.affiliation: Center for Applied Research on Men and Health, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
authors.forename: Donn J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Colby
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D018451:Homosexuality, Male / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D040242:Risk Reduction Behavior; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D047568:Unsafe Sex / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014744:Vietnam / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: HIV prevention; Men who have sex with men; Sexual orientation; Sexual risk; Vietnam