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A randomized trial of a behavioral intervention for high risk substance-using MSM
Steven P Kurtz1, Ronald D Stall, Mance E Buttram
1Center for Applied Research on Substance Use and Health Disparities (ARSH), Nova Southeastern University, Ft. Lauderdale, FL, USA, steven.kurtz@nova.edu.
AIDS and Behavior
|June 5, 2013
Summary
A risk reduction intervention showed moderate to large effects for substance-using men who have sex with men (MSM). While not statistically significant between groups, Black MSM demonstrated greater risk reduction, highlighting a need for further research in HIV prevention.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Behavioral Science
- Infectious Disease Epidemiology
Background:
- Substance-using men who have sex with men (MSM) represent a population at high risk for HIV infection in the U.S.
- Effective interventions are crucial to mitigate HIV transmission within this demographic.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of a small group sexual and substance use risk reduction intervention based on empowerment theory.
- To compare the intervention against an enhanced efficacious control condition among high-risk, not-in-treatment MSM substance users.
Main Methods:
- A randomized trial involving 515 participants.
- Intervention focused on empowerment theory for sexual and substance use risk reduction.
- Comparison with an enhanced efficacious control group.
Main Results:
- Moderate to large effect sizes were observed for sexual risk and substance use outcomes.
- HIV transmission risk frequency showed effect sizes of d = 0.71 (control) vs. 0.66 (experimental).
- Number of anal sex partners showed effect sizes of d = 1.04 (control) vs. 0.98 (experimental).
- Substance dependence symptoms showed effect sizes of d = 0.49 (control) vs. 0.53 (experimental).
- No significant differences were found between the intervention and control groups.
- Black MSM exhibited a greater rate of risk reduction compared to White or Latino MSM.
Conclusions:
- The intervention demonstrated potential, with moderate to large effect sizes across key outcomes.
- Significant differences between groups were not observed, suggesting the control condition was also effective.
- Black MSM showed promising risk reduction rates, indicating potential for tailored interventions.
- Further research is essential to develop effective strategies for HIV prevention among MSM substance users.
