Evaluation of Many Men, Many Voices, An STD/HIV Prevention Intervention for Black MSM

Phase 1

Completed

Brief Summary: The purpose of this program evaluation is to determine whether the "Many Men, Many Voices" HIV/STD prevention intervention is effective in reducing HIV sex risk behaviors and increasing HIV testing among African-American men who have sex with men (MSM), who may or may not self-identify as gay. The intent of this program is to support the evaluation of an existing intervention and provide feedback to the implementing organization for improved program effectiveness, not to conduct research.

Detailed Description: Black men who have sex with men (MSM) in the United States experience disproportionately high rates of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs); however, the number of evidence-based interventions for Black MSM is limited. This study evaluated the efficacy of Many Men, Many Voices (3MV), a small-group HIV/STI prevention intervention developed by Black MSM-serving community-based organizations and a university-based HIV/STI prevention and training program. The study sample included 338 Black MSM of HIV-negative or unknown HIV serostatus residing in New York city. Participants were randomly assigned to the 3MV intervention condition (n = 164) or wait-list comparison condition (n = 174). Relative to comparison participants, 3MV participants reported significantly greater reductions in any unprotected anal intercourse with casual male partners; a trend for consistent condom use during receptive anal intercourse with casual male partners; and significantly greater reductions in the number of male sex partners and greater increases in HIV testing. This study is the first randomized trial to demonstrate the efficacy of an HIV/STI prevention intervention for Black MSM.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria

Black men who have sex with other men (i.e., self-identify as gay or bisexual or same gender-loving, or sexually active with other men and do not identify as gay or bisexual, or have sexual or emotional attraction to other men)
18 years of age or older
Self-report their HIV serostatus as negative or unknown
Willing to attend an intervention retreat (without their primary partner)
Willing to discuss male-to-male sex
Resident of the New York Metropolitan area and plan to reside in that area for at least 6 months
Not previously participated in a Many Men, Many Voices intervention program

Exclusion Criteria

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Many Men, Many Voices (3MV) Intervention	Many Men, Many Voices (3MV)	Receive 6-session intervention immediately after baseline assessment and randomization

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Any Unprotected Anal Intercourse (UAI) With Casual Partners	6 months	Sexual activities with casual male partners in past 3 months (i.e., any unprotected insertive or receptive anal sex)
Number of Participants Reporting HIV Testing Behavior	6 months
Number of Participants Reporting Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) Testing Behavior	6 months
Number of Episodes of Insertive Unprotected Anal Intercourse (UAI) With Casual Partners	6 months
Number of Episodes of Receptive Unprotected Anal Intercourse (UAI) With Casual Partners	6 months