A Randomized Controlled Trial to Evaluate the Relative Efficacy of Enhanced Versus Standard Voluntary Counseling and Testing on Promoting Condom Use among Men Who Have Sex with Men in China

Abstract

The randomized controlled trial investigated the relative efficacy of an enhanced (EVCT) versus standard (SVCT) voluntary counseling and testing in reducing unprotected anal intercourse (UAI) among men who have sex with men (MSM) in China. 295 participants who recruited by respondent driven sampling methods were randomly allocated to the two arms. In addition to the SVCT, the EVCT group watched a theory-based video narrated by a HIV positive MSM, received enhanced counseling and a reminder gift. As compared to the SVCT group, the EVCT group reported lower prevalence of UAI with any male sex partners (48.4% versus 66.7%, RR = 0.7, ARR = -18.3%, p = 0.010) and with regular male sex partners (52.2% versus 68.9%, RR = 0.8, ARR = -16.7%, p = 0.043) at Month 6, whilst baseline between-group differences were statistically non-significant. Between-group differences in HIV/syphilis incidence were statistically non-significant. Translational research should be conducted to integrate non-intensive enhancements such as the EVCT into regular testing services.

The clinical effectiveness of individual behaviour change interventions to reduce risky sexual behaviour after a negative human immunodeficiency virus test in men who have sex with men: systematic and realist reviews and intervention development

“…99, Ten RCTs, reported in 11 studies, met the inclusion criteria and were included in the final review. [96][97][98][99][100][101][102][103][104][105][106] A summary of the characteristics of the included studies are shown in Table 2. All studies were conducted in the USA with the exception of one study, which was conducted in China.…”

“…All studies were conducted in the USA with the exception of one study, which was conducted in China. 103 These studies evaluated the efficacy of a number of online and face-to-face interventions in the reduction of HIV risk-related behaviour. Table 2 shows that the participants across the trials were recruited through a variety of sources.…”

“…Table 2 shows that the participants across the trials were recruited through a variety of sources. These include recruitment of those who attended clinics for testing, [99][100][101] and recruitment via community outreach, 98 at gay bars 103,105 and through distribution of advertising material and fliers. 102,105 A number of studies, in particular those evaluating online interventions, recruited participants online using banner advertisements on relevant websites.…”

“…102,105 A number of studies, in particular those evaluating online interventions, recruited participants online using banner advertisements on relevant websites. 96,97,[102][103][104] One study also used respondent-driven sampling after initially recruiting at relevant commercial gay venues. 103 Eligibility criteria were similar across all studies; all participants were MSM who engaged in HIV risk-related sexual activity within a specified time period.…”

Prejudice, Stigma and Social Discrimination: Perceived Barriers in HIV Prevention and Control among Men Who Have Sex with Men in China

“…After recognizing the seriousness of the challenges among MSM, many time-effect intervention strategies were implemented in China, in order to curb the HIV epidemic in this hard-to-reach population [3][4][5][6]. However, the effectiveness of these intervention strategies was somewhat limited, since few of these strategies had ever addressed some key factors pertaining to the HIV prevention and control in this marginalized population, which included: the problems related to prejudice, stigma and social discrimination [7][8][9][10].…”