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

描述（由申请人提供）：甲基苯丙胺（冰毒）的使用与男男性行为者（MSM）中的艾滋病毒感染显著相关，主要是通过使用该药物促进的高风险性行为。本研究将招募72名未接受治疗、使用甲基安非他明的男男性行为者，参与一项新的资讯科技（IT）沟通干预，即专案技术支援。在两周的过程中，参与者将被要求使用各种通信技术（例如，短信、电子邮件、即时通讯）来接收实时的艾滋病毒预防信息、社会支持和关于毒品和性风险行为的更健康、亲社会的选择的转诊。所有的IT交流将基于研究设计的理论框架。该研究的目的是：(1)开展形成性工作，以协助开发一种信息技术交流干预措施，以减少未接受治疗的男同性恋者使用冰毒和高危性行为；(2)评估行为干预对目标人群的可行性和效用；(3)收集该干预措施的作用机制指标，评估IT通信系统的使用程度与甲基苯丙胺使用和伴随性风险行为的教育程度之间的剂量-反应关系。我们假设：(1)通过短信、互联网资源和其他信息技术交流，可以成功地实施旨在减少男男性接触者冰毒使用和伴随性风险行为的简短干预措施；(2)在信息技术交流中存在剂量-反应关系，即与信息技术交流互动越多的男同性恋者越不可能从事高冰毒使用率和性危险行为。形成阶段的数据将指导干预措施的发展，进而对其可行性和效用进行评估。将在基线、两周和三个月随访时收集评估，包括药物使用的生物标志物、艾滋病毒血清状况和性传播感染。认知和行为结果将被测量。这种简短的干预建立在行为科学的优势之上，旨在帮助未接受治疗、使用冰毒的男男性行为者减少吸毒和艾滋病毒传播行为。这项研究的结果将为该领域提供信息技术交流干预的可行性，以减少在未接受治疗的、使用冰毒的男男性行为者中的性风险行为和艾滋病毒感染和传播。

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.