A randomized controlled study to evaluate the efficacy of an Internet-based intervention in reducing HIV risk behaviors among men who have sex with men in Hong Kong

A randomized controlled study evaluated an Internet-based HIV behavioral intervention for men who have sex with men (MSM). Hong Kong Chinese men aged ≥18 having engaged in oral or anal MSM behaviors in the last six months were randomly allocated into the intervention (n=140) and the control groups (...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:AIDS care 2008-08, Vol.20 (7), p.820-828
Main Authors: Lau, J. T. F., Lau, M., Cheung, A., Tsui, H. Y.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
AIDS
AIDS/HIV
Attitude to Health - ethnology
Behavior therapy. Cognitive therapy
Biological and medical sciences
Chinese
Clinical trials
Condoms - utilization
Efficacy
Gays & lesbians
HIV
HIV Infections - epidemiology
HIV Infections - prevention & control
HIV Infections - psychology
HIV-1
Homosexuality
Homosexuality, Male - psychology
Homosexuality, Male - statistics & numerical data
Homosexuals
Hong Kong
Hong Kong - epidemiology
Human immunodeficiency virus
Humans
Information and communication technologies
Internet
Intervention
Interventions
Male
Medical sciences
men who have sex with men
Program Evaluation
Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry
Psychopathology. Psychiatry
randomized controlled trial
risk behavior
Risk behaviour
Risk management
Sexual Behavior
Sexual Partners - psychology
Studies
Treatments
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Summary:A randomized controlled study evaluated an Internet-based HIV behavioral intervention for men who have sex with men (MSM). Hong Kong Chinese men aged ≥18 having engaged in oral or anal MSM behaviors in the last six months were randomly allocated into the intervention (n=140) and the control groups (n=140). Participants were interviewed anonymously at the baseline and after six months. Interventions included periodic HIV information dissemination, monitoring of risk behaviors and interactive feedback, online peer counseling and provision of a hotline. The control group only received some educational materials. Efficacy of the intervention was not supported as no statistically significant between-group differences in background characteristics, HIV risk behaviors and perceptions were observed both at the baseline and after the 6-month period. Effectiveness of online interventions should not be taken for granted and evidence-based approach is warranted.
ISSN:0954-0121
1360-0451
DOI:10.1080/09540120701694048