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

AIDS Behav. 2012 Jul;16(5):1138-47. doi: 10.1007/s10461-012-0141-1.

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.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / prevention & control*
  • Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / psychology
  • Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / transmission
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • China / epidemiology
  • Condoms / statistics & numerical data*
  • Counseling / methods*
  • Female
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
  • Homosexuality, Male / psychology
  • Homosexuality, Male / statistics & numerical data
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Patient Selection
  • Prevalence
  • Sexual Behavior / psychology
  • Sexual Behavior / statistics & numerical data*
  • Sexual Partners
  • Syphilis / prevention & control*
  • Syphilis / psychology
  • Syphilis / transmission
  • Young Adult