Evaluation of a Computer-Based Recruitment System for Enrolling Men Who Have Sex With Men Into an Observational HIV Behavioral Risk Study

Abstract

Enrolling large numbers of high-risk men who have sex with men (MSM) into human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) prevention studies is necessary for research with an HIV outcome, but the resources required for in-person recruitment can be prohibitive. New methods with which to efficiently recruit large samples of MSM are needed. At a sexually transmitted disease clinic in Seattle, Washington, in 2013-2014, we used an existing clinical computer-assisted self-interview that collects patients' medical and sexual history data to recruit, screen, and enroll MSM into an HIV behavioral risk study and compared enrollees with men who declined to enroll. After completing the clinical computer-assisted self-interview, men aged ≥18 years who reported having had sex with men in the prior year were presented with an electronic study description and consent statement. We enrolled men at 2,661 (54%) of 4,944 visits, including 1,748 unique individuals. Enrolled men were younger (mean age = 34 years vs. 37 years; P < 0.001) and reported more male sex partners (11 vs. 8; P < 0.001) and more methamphetamine use (15% vs. 8%; P < 0.001) than men who declined to enroll, but the HIV test positivity of the two groups was similar (1.9% vs. 2.0%; P = 0.80). Adapting an existing computerized clinic intake system, we recruited a large sample of MSM who may be an ideal population for an HIV prevention study.

Operationalizing the Measurement of Seroadaptive Behaviors: A Comparison of Reported Sexual Behaviors and Purposely-Adopted Behaviors Among Men who have Sex with Men (MSM) in Seattle

“…Detailed recruitment and enrollment procedures are described elsewhere (17). Briefly, all patients presenting to the PHSKC STD clinic for a new problem visit are asked to complete a clinical computer-assisted self-interview (clinical CASI) which includes information on demographics, sexual behaviors, drug use, and HIV testing history.…”

A Single Question to Examine the Prevalence and Protective Effect of Seroadaptive Strategies Among Men Who Have Sex With Men

“…We have previously described the recruitment and enrollment procedures for this study. 7 Briefly, all patients presenting to the PHSKC STD clinic for a new problem visit are asked to complete a clinical computer-assisted self-interview (clinical CASI) which includes information on sexual behaviors. Men who reported in the clinical CASI that they had ≥1 male sex partner in the past 12 months were eligible.…”

Knowledge about HIV/AIDS and implications of establishing partnerships among Hornet® users

“…In the data collection, the Computer-Assisted Interview technique (CASI) (8) was used, in which subjects approached through the application itself were invited to answer the study questions. Participants were presented to the research objectives and, after consent, were invited to answer the questions, which included: sociodemographic data, knowledge about HIV, forms of prevention, sexual behaviors and use of the application.…”

“…Hence, access to "difficult" groups, such as the one studied, is less expensive for researchers as well as for participants. Furthermore, research involving diseases, such as HIV/AIDS, or behaviors that are susceptible to judgment, criticism or social stigma tend to have higher reliability when performed by the Computer-Assisted Interview technique (8,30) .…”