THE NIMH MULTISITE HIV PREVENTION TRIAL - REDUCING HIV SEXUAL RISK BEHAVIOR

The efficacy of a behavioral intervention to reduce human immunodefici ency virus (HIV) risk behaviors was tested in a randomized, controlled trial with three high-risk populations at 37 clinics from seven sites across the United States. Compared with the 1855 individuals in the c ontrol condition, the 1851 participants assigned to a small-group, sev en-session HIV risk reduction program reported fewer unprotected sexua l acts, had higher levels of condom use, and were more likely to use c ondoms consistently over a 12-month follow-up period. On the basis of clinical record review, no difference in overall sexually transmitted disease (STD) reinfection rate was found between intervention and cont rol condition participants. However, among men recruited from STD clin ics, those assigned to the intervention condition had a gonorrhea inci dence rate one-half that of those; in the control condition. Intervent ion condition participants also reported fewer STD symptoms over the 1 2-month follow-up period. Study outcomes suggest that behavioral inter ventions can reduce HIV-related sexual risk behavior among low-income women and men served in public health settings. Studies that test stra tegies for reducing sexual risk behavior over longer periods of time a re needed, especially with populations that remain most vulnerable to HIV infection.