Motiv82Change: an HIV Prevention Study for Young Latino Men

The purpose of this study is to develop and pilot test a culturally and developmentally tailored Motivational Enhancement Intervention (MEI) to reduce risky sex (unprotected anal sex and multiple partners) among young Hispanic men who have sex with men (YHMSM).

Stage 1, divided into Stage 1a and Stage 1b, focuses on development, refinement, and pilot testing of interventions. The formative research leading to and including intervention development is completed in Stage 1a. A pilot study to provide acceptability/feasibility data and obtain effect size estimates of the intervention's strength in changing a desired outcome is conducted in Stage 1b. If Stage 1b results are "promising," the intervention moves to full scale efficacy testing in Stage 2 using the classic experimental design of a randomized control trial (RCT). The intervention is ready for Stage 3 effectiveness testing only after its efficacy has been demonstrated in at least two Stage 2 trials.

• Experimental: Motive8 2 Change FtF
  This arm of the motivational enhancement intervention (MEI) will be delivered face to face (FtF) using a real-time, dynamic implementation approach. The intervention consisted of 2 sessions lasting approximately 60 to 90 minutes. The sessions focused on increasing participants' awareness of the multiple influences on behaviors from self, family, culture and community and how these influences impact the way we think and behave including sexually. Through a series of exercises the participant develops strategies for understanding and managing his own triggers that helps them to make healthy life choices. Both Motiv8 2Change arms used the exact same intervention, with the exception that one was delivered face to face and the other through the internet.
  Intervention: Behavioral: Entre Culturas: Navigating Culture, Identity, and HIV Risk
• Experimental: Motive8 2Change -Internet
  This arm of the motivational enhancement intervention (MEI) will be delivered via the Internet face to face (FtF) using a real-time, dynamic implementation approach.The intervention consisted of 2 sessions lasting approximately 60 to 90 minutes. The sessions focused on increasing participants' awareness of the multiple influences on behaviors from self, family, culture and community and how these influences impact the way we think and behave including sexually. Through a series of exercises the participant develops strategies for understanding and managing his own triggers that helps them to make healthy life choices. Both Motiv8 2Change arms used the exact same intervention, with the exception that one was delivered face to face and the other through the internet.
  Intervention: Behavioral: Entre Culturas: Navigating Culture, Identity, and HIV Risk
• No Intervention: delayed
• Active Comparator: Motiv8 2Change Careers
  Comparable in number of sessions and duration to the experimental arms, but focused on resume development and interviewing skills. This arm consisted of 2 sessions. In the first session participants reviewed different career choices and created a winning resume. The second session focused on job interviewing skills. It included role plays with feedback. It also contains ethically mandated information regarding HIV prevention. It was delivered on line by a trained facilitator.
  Intervention: Behavioral: Entre Culturas: Navigating Culture, Identity, and HIV Risk

Inclusion Criteria:

To be eligible, participants must:

1. be male;
2. self-identify as Hispanic/Latino;
3. be 18 - 29 years of age;
4. live in South Florida;
5. have had at least 1 episode of unprotected anal sex with a man in the last 6 months;
6. have had at least 2 male sex partners in the last 6 months;
7. be HIV negative or not known to be HIV positive; and
8. have not previously participated in this study.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. living with HIV infection