Text messaging reduces HIV risk behaviors among methamphetamine-using men who have sex with men

Text-messaging interventions present a novel approach for targeting high-risk men who have sex with men (MSM) who may not respond to or may be difficult to reach for face-to-face or site-based interventions. Project Tech Support (N = 52) was an open label pilot study testing the feasibility and utility of a text-messaging intervention to reduce methamphetamine use and high-risk sexual behaviors among out-of-treatment MSM. Participants in the two-week intervention received social support and health education text messages transmitted in real-time. At follow-up, there were significant decreases in frequency of methamphetamine use and unprotected sex while on methamphetamine (both p < 0.01), and a significant increase in self-reported abstinence from methamphetamine use (13.3 % vs. 48.9 %; p < 0.001). Additionally, participants reported reductions of unprotected anal intercourse with HIV-positive partners (p < 0.01); with HIV-negative partners, participants reported fewer insertive and receptive episodes (both p < 0.05). Findings demonstrate that text messaging is a promising intervention for reaching and potentially changing HIV high-risk behaviors among out-of-treatment, methamphetamine-using MSM.