Substance use is common among men who have sex with men (MSM) and is a driving force in the MSM HIVepidemic. Substance use just before or during sex substantially increases HIV risk. But few interventions havebeen tested to address episodes of substance use and sexual HIV risk among MSM. Therefore, in response tothe CDC RFA Adopting and demonstrating the adaptation of prevention techniques for persons at highest riskfor acquiring or transmitting HIV, we will collaborate with Dr. James Dilley, the Principal Investigator of one ofthe RFA-required evidence-based interventions (EBIs). We will adapt and rigorously evaluate Dr. Dilley'ssingle-session intervention, Personalized Cognitive Risk-Reduction Counseling, among substance-using MSM(SUMSM), one of the target populations specified by the RFA. In a randomized trial, the original interventiondemonstrated robust and sustained reductions in sexual risk among HIV-negative MSM. However, it did notaddress substance-use related sexual risk reduction, and fewer than 20% of participants reported using thesubstances we will target. HIV-negative SUMSM who engage in concurrent substance use and sexual risk('episodic SUMSM') are therefore a new target population in which to adapt this effective sexual risk-reductionintervention. The original EBI takes a cognitive approach to behavior change and is focused on challenging theself-justifications (thoughts, attitudes, and beliefs) used at the time of an unsafe sexual encounter. We willadapt the intervention to address the self-justifications episodic SUMSM employ when engaging in substanceuse and concurrent high-risk sex. We will focus on use of methamphetamine, powder or crack cocaine,poppers, and binge drinking (> 5 drinks) during sex because these substances are most consistentlyassociated with HIV risk. We will conduct the study in community-based organizations that serve men of colorand will enroll an ethnically diverse sample.
Our specific aims are: 1. To conduct formative research through individual interviews and pilot testing to adapt the core elements of the EBI, including the core self-justifications elicitation instrument, with a focus on eliciting and intervening on the thoughts, attitudes, and behaviors that episodic SUMSM employ when using substances and engaging in concurrent sexual risk.2. To determine the efficacy of the adapted intervention in reducing unprotected anal sex, as compared to an attention-control arm, in a randomized trial of 325 episodic SUMSM with 3, 6, and 12-month follow- up. Our primary hypothesis is: Persons randomized to the intervention arm will decrease unprotected anal sex behavior compared with persons in the control arm.3. We will also: i) Determine the cost-effectiveness of the intervention in reducing sexual risk; ii) Determine the efficacy of the intervention in reducing substance use; iii) Explore whether the intervention reduces incidence of sexually transmitted infections.
Project narrative (relevance to public health): Substance use and HIV infection rates are high among men who have sex with men (MSM). Substance use during sex is associated with increased risk for HIV. Yet few interventions have addressed both sexual risk and substance use among MSM. We will adapt and evaluate a behavioral intervention, with the goal of reducing sexual risk and substance use among HIV-negative MSM.
