Reducing Methamphetamine Use and HIV Sex-risk Behaviors in Out-of-Treatment MSM

描述(由申请人提供)：在男男性行为者(MSM)中，使用冰毒与艾滋病毒感染显著相关，主要是通过使用该药物促进的高危性行为。这项研究将72名未接受治疗、使用冰毒的男男性接触者纳入一种新的信息技术(IT)沟通干预，即项目技术支持。在为期两周的课程中，参与者将被要求使用各种通信技术(例如，短信、电子邮件、即时消息)，以接收实时艾滋病毒预防信息、社会支持和转介，以做出关于毒品和性危险行为的更健康、更亲社会的选择。所有的IT沟通都将根据研究的理论框架进行设计。本研究旨在(1)进行形成性工作以协助发展资讯科技传播干预，以减少未接受治疗的男男性接触者的冰毒使用及高危性行为；(2)评估对目标人群进行行为干预的可行性及效用；及(3)收集干预行动机制的指标，评估资讯科技传播系统的使用程度与冰毒使用及随之而来的性危险行为的教育程度之间的剂量-反应关系。我们假设(1)旨在减少MSM中冰毒使用和随之而来的性危险行为的简短干预可以使用短信、互联网资源和其他IT通信成功地提供；以及(2)IT通信中将存在剂量-反应关联，因此，MSM与IT通信互动越多，他参与冰毒使用和性危险行为的可能性就越低。形成阶段的数据将指导干预措施的发展，而干预措施的可行性和实用性将得到评估。将在基线、两周和三个月的后续行动中收集评估，包括药物使用、艾滋病毒血清状况和性传播感染的生物标志物。将对认知和行为结果进行衡量。这一简短的干预建立在行为科学的优势之上，旨在帮助非治疗、使用冰毒的男男性接触者减少药物使用和艾滋病毒传播行为。这项研究的结果将使现场了解采用信息技术通信干预措施的可行性，以减少在不接受治疗的使用冰毒的男男性接触者中的性危险行为和艾滋病毒的获得和传播。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Methamphetamine (meth) use is significantly associated with HIV infection among men who have sex with men (MSM), predominantly through high-risk sexual behaviors that are facilitated by use of the drug. This research study will enroll 72 out-of-treatment, meth-using MSM into a novel information technology (IT) communication intervention, i.e., Project Tech Support. Over the course of two weeks, participants will be asked to engage in a variety of communication technologies (e.g., text messaging, emails, instant messaging) to receive real-time HIV prevention messages, social support and referrals for healthier, pro-social choices regarding drug- and sexual-risk behaviors. All IT communications will be based on the theoretical framework of the study design. The study aims to (1) conduct formative work to assist the development of an IT communication intervention for reducing meth use and high-risk sexual behaviors among out-of-treatment MSM; (2) assess the feasibility and utility of the behavioral intervention on the target population; and (3) gather indicators of the mechanism of action for this intervention, a dose-response association will be evaluated between the extent of use of IT communication system and the degree of education in meth use and concomitant sexual risk behaviors. We hypothesize that (1) brief interventions that target reductions in meth use and concomitant sexual risk behaviors in MSM can be delivered successfully using text messaging, Internet resources and other IT communication; and (2) there will be a dose-response association in IT communication, thus, the more an MSM interacts with the IT communication, the less likely he is to engage in high rates of meth use and sexual risk behaviors. Data from the formative phase will guide development of the intervention, which, in turn, will be evaluated for feasibility and utility. Evaluations, including biological markers for drug use, HIV serostatus, and STIs, will be collected at baseline, two-week and three-month follow-up. Cognitive and behavioral outcomes will be measured. This brief intervention builds upon the strengths of behavioral science and is designed to assist out-of-treatment, meth-using MSM reduce drug use and HIV transmission behaviors. Findings from this study will inform the field on the feasibility of adapting an IT communication intervention for reducing sexual risk behaviors and HIV acquisition and transmission among out-of-treatment, meth-using MSM.