Internet-based HIV Prevention for MSM in India

描述（由申请人提供）：基于互联网的印度男性艾滋病毒预防印度的互联网使用正处于快速扩张时期，具有巨大的潜力，可以通过有效的预防教育接触到艾滋病毒感染高风险的耻辱化男性。迄今为止，基于互联网的艾滋病毒预防研究和干预措施尚未得到研究，我们建议开始利用这一应用程序解决这一差距。这项双边合作研究是由明尼苏达州的艾滋病毒预防互联网研究人员团队与加州和印度的艾滋病毒预防团队在孟买开展的，该团队在针对高危男性的艾滋病毒预防方面经验丰富，建立在两个团队独特的专业知识基础上。有四个目标。第一个目标记录了如何使用互联网来满足男性性伴侣，并测试进行在线焦点小组接触高危男性的可行性（n=64）。第二个目标是进行可用性评估，以确定基于证据的互联网干预在孟买（n=10）的高风险男性的文化适当性。第三个目标是进行技术和虚拟环境评估（n=10）。最终目标是进行在线行为风险和需求评估（n=600）。所有程序都反映了我们在美国的团队成功完成的工作，但适用于研究印度的情况和流行病。因此，R21将测试印度从未尝试过的方法。这项研究的主要意义包括其在避免印度高危男性艾滋病毒感染方面的潜在公共卫生影响。在印度，即使是一个适度有效的在线干预措施，也有可能接触到成千上万的男性，减少危险的信念和行为，从而防止艾滋病毒的传播。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Internet-based HIV Prevention for Indian Men Internet use in India is in a period of rapid expansion and holds enormous potential for reaching stigmatized men at high risk of HIV infection with effective prevention education. To date, Internet-based HIV-prevention research and interventions have not been studied, a gap we propose to begin addressing with this application. This bilateral collaborative study between a Minnesota-based team of HIV-prevention Internet researchers and a California and India-based team experienced with HIV prevention targeting high-risk men in Mumbai builds upon the unique expertise of both teams. There are four aims. The first aim documents how the Internet is used to meet male sex partners and test the feasibility of conducting online focus groups to reach high-risk men (n=64). The second aim conducts a usability assessment to determine the cultural appropriateness of an evidence-based Internet intervention for high-risk men in Mumbai (n=10). The third aim conducts a technology and virtual environment assessment (n=10). The final aim conducts an online behavioral risk and needs assessment (n=600). All procedures mirror work successfully completed by our team in the US, but adapted to research the Indian context and epidemic. Hence this R21 will test methods untried in India. The primary significance of this study includes its potential public health impact in averting HIV infections among high-risk men in India. Even a modestly effective online intervention in India has the potential to reach thousands of men, to reduce risky beliefs and behaviors, and hence, to prevent the spread of HIV.