Internet-based HIV Prevention for MSM in India

描述(由申请人提供)：印度男子基于互联网的艾滋病毒预防印度互联网使用正处于快速扩张期，通过有效的预防教育接触到感染艾滋病毒高风险的污名化男子具有巨大的潜力。到目前为止，基于互联网的艾滋病毒预防研究和干预措施尚未被研究，我们建议从这一应用程序开始解决这一差距。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和加利福尼亚州和印度的团队进行的，这两个团队在孟买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专业知识的基础上。有四个目标。第一个目标是记录如何利用互联网结识男性性伴侣，并测试开展在线焦点小组接触高危男性的可行性(n=)。第二个目标是进行可用性评估，以确定以证据为基础的互联网干预对孟买高危男性(n=10)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的团队在美国成功完成的工作，但适应了对印度背景和流行病的研究。因此，这款R21将测试未在印度试验过的方法。这项研究的主要意义包括它在避免印度高危男子感染艾滋病毒方面的潜在公共卫生影响。在印度，即使是适度有效的在线干预，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.