Motivational interviewing for HIV risk reduction among gay men in commercial and public sex settings

The present paper addresses the feasibility of combining motivational inter viewing and cognitive interventions to HIV risk reduction in commercial ven ues and public sex environments (PSEs). The logic for these two approaches is considered and an intervention combining key elements of the two is pres ented. The intervention uses a questionnaire format to encourage individual s to compare their desired versus actual behaviour (i.e. chosen personal ri sk reduction strategy versus 'slip-ups'/unwanted risk taking), and to recog nize their risk-related cognitions. High-risk individuals are identified, a nd health-focused conversations developed from the brief schedule. The stru cture and key design issues in the development of a feasible, acceptable an d evidence-based tool are reviewed. The limitations of more complex, focuse d interventions in the context of commercial and PSE settings are discussed .