Alcohol and "Heat of the Moment" Sexual Decision Making Among MSM: Identifying Mechanisms of Sexual Risk and Promoting Behavior Change Through Brief Intervention
Boston University Charles River Campus
Summary
HIV transmission remains a significant public health concern, especially among men who have sex with men (MSM). Condomless anal intercourse (CAI) continues to be the major route of transmission for MSM. Thus, to reduce the incidence of HIV, it is critical to identify how contextual risk factors influence CAI and develop behavioral strategies that modify risk factors directly or reduce their influence on behavior. This study will examine the mechanisms through which one of the central contextual risk factors, heavy drinking, influences sexual decision processes in the natural environment and test the benefit of a brief intervention designed to reduce sexual risk behavior among those who engage in heavy drinking.
Description
Despite prevention efforts over the past two decades, HIV transmission remains a significant public health concern, especially among men who have sex with men (MSM). Approximately 65% of new HIV diagnoses in the United States are due to male-to-male sexual contact. Condomless anal intercourse (CAI) continues to be the major route of transmission for MSM. Thus, to reduce the incidence of HIV, it is critical to identify risk factors that underlie HIV acquisition and transmission and develop behavioral strategies that modify them directly or reduce the influence of these factors on behavior. Alco…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 18+ years
- Sex
- Male
- Healthy volunteers
- Yes
Inclusion Criteria: * At least 18 years of age * Cisgender man who has had condomless anal intercourse with another man in the past 3 months * Engaged in heavy drinking (assessed by either weekly National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism guidelines \[\> 14 for men\], and/or a heavy drinking episode in the past month \[\> 4 drinks on an occasion\]) * Has a smartphone Exclusion Criteria: * HIV-infection * Currently using PrEP * In an exclusive monogamous sexual relationship * History of bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, other psychotic disorder, or current suicidal intent * Current tr…
Interventions
- BehavioralSelf-Regulation Intervention
Single session motivational intervention on reducing heavy drinking and sexual risk behavior, encouraging consideration of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), followed by 4 weeks of text messages on content relevant to drinking goals and support for healthy sexual choices
- BehavioralBrief Advice and Information
Psychoeducation about heavy drinking risks, discussion of barriers to safe sex, information about pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP)
Location
- Boston University Department of Psychological and Brain SciencesBoston, Massachusetts