scholarly journals Game Plan: A Web Application to Help Men Who Have Sex with Men Reduce their HIV Risk and Alcohol Use (Preprint)

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tyler Wray ◽  
Christopher W Kahler ◽  
Erik M. Simpanen ◽  
Don Operario
Keyword(s):  
High Risk ◽  
Alcohol Use ◽  
Risk Behavior ◽  
Hiv Risk ◽  
Web Application ◽  
Heavy Drinking ◽  
Hiv Risk Behavior ◽  
Ongoing Research ◽  
Game Plan ◽  
Sex With Men

BACKGROUND Men who have sex with men (MSM) are at high risk for HIV, and alcohol use is a major risk factor for HIV infection. Internet-facilitated brief interventions have been shown to reduce alcohol use and HIV-risk behavior in other at-risk populations, but have so far incorporated limited content and have not been tested among MSM. OBJECTIVE This manuscript describes Game Plan, an interactive, tablet-optimized web application designed to help heavy drinking, high-risk MSM consider reducing their alcohol use and sexual risk behavior. METHODS In this paper, we discuss the rationale, goals, and flow for each of Game Plan’s components, which were modelled after common in-person and web-based brief motivational interventions for these behaviors. RESULTS The app is unique in that it includes content urging users to reflect more profoundly on their current behavior, and if prepared to change, strengthen their commitment to doing so. CONCLUSIONS Should ongoing research support its efficacy in facilitating behavior change, Game Plan could represent a wide-reaching and scalable tool that is well-suited for use in settings where delivering evidence-based, in-person interventions would be difficult or cost-prohibitive.

scholarly journals Game Plan: Development of a Web App Designed to Help Men Who Have Sex With Men Reduce Their HIV Risk and Alcohol Use (Preprint)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tyler Wray ◽  
Christopher W Kahler ◽  
Erik M Simpanen ◽  
Don Operario
Keyword(s):  
High Risk ◽  
Alcohol Use ◽  
Risk Behavior ◽  
Hiv Risk ◽  
Web Application ◽  
Heavy Drinking ◽  
Hiv Risk Behavior ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Game Plan ◽  
Sex With Men

BACKGROUND Men who have sex with men (MSM) are at high risk for HIV, and alcohol use is a major risk factor for HIV infection. Internet-facilitated brief interventions have been shown to reduce alcohol use and HIV-risk behavior in other at-risk populations, but have so far incorporated limited content and have not been tested among MSM. OBJECTIVE This manuscript describes Game Plan, an interactive, tablet-optimized web application designed to help heavy drinking, high-risk MSM consider reducing their alcohol use and sexual risk behavior. In this paper, we discuss the rationale, goals, and flow for each of Game Plan’s components, which were modelled after common in-person and web-based brief motivational interventions for these behaviors. METHODS The development of Game Plan was informed by a thorough user-focused design research process that included (1) audits of existing interventions, (2) focus groups with stakeholders and (3) intended users (high-risk, heavy drinking MSM), and (4) usability testing. The aesthetic, features, and content of the app were designed iteratively throughout this process RESULTS The fully-functional Game Plan app provides (1) specific and personal feedback to users about their level of risk, (2) exercises to help prompt users to reflect on whether their current behavior aligns with other important life goals and values, and for those open to change, (3) exercises to help users understand factors that contribute to risk, and (4) a change planning module. In general, this flow was constructed to roughly align with the two phases described in early accounts of motivational interviewing (MI): (1) Content intended to elicit intrinsic motivation for change, and when/if sufficient motivation is present, (2) content intended to translate that motivation into specific goals and plans for change. This sequence first focuses on the user’s HIV risk behavior, followed by their alcohol use and the connection between the two. The app’s overall aesthetic (eg, branding, color palettes, icons/graphics) and its onboarding sequence was also designed to align with the “spirit” of MI by conveying respect for autonomy, open-mindedness (ie, avoiding judgment), and empathy. CONCLUSIONS Should future research support its efficacy in facilitating behavior change, Game Plan could represent a wide-reaching and scalable tool that is well-suited for use in settings where delivering evidence-based, in-person interventions would be difficult or cost-prohibitive.

scholarly journals Use of Multiple Sex Venues and Prevalence of HIV Risk Behavior: Identifying High-Risk Men Who Have Sex with Men

2014 ◽  
Vol 44 (2) ◽  
pp. 443-451 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zachary Y. Kerr ◽  
Lance M. Pollack ◽  
William J. Woods ◽  
Johnny Blair ◽  
Diane Binson
Keyword(s):  
High Risk ◽  
Risk Behavior ◽  
Hiv Risk ◽  
Hiv Risk Behavior ◽  
Sex With Men

Scenes as Micro-Cultures: Examining Heterogeneity of HIV Risk Behavior Among Gay, Bisexual, and Other Men Who Have Sex with Men in Toronto, Canada

2017 ◽  
Vol 47 (1) ◽  
pp. 309-321 ◽  
Author(s):  
Syed W. Noor ◽  
Barry D. Adam ◽  
David J. Brennan ◽  
David A. Moskowitz ◽  
Sandra Gardner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Behavior ◽  
Hiv Risk ◽  
Hiv Risk Behavior ◽  
Sex With Men

Men Who Have Sex With Men and HIV Risk Behavior: Exploring the Influence of Masculinity Within the Social Ecological Model

2021 ◽  
Vol 33 (6) ◽  
pp. 511-533
Author(s):  
Kenneth C. Hergenrather ◽  
Diona Emmanuel ◽  
Robert J. Zeglin ◽  
David J. Ruda ◽  
Scott D. Rhodes
Keyword(s):  
Risk Behavior ◽  
Hiv Risk ◽  
Ecological Model ◽  
The United States ◽  
Social Ecological Model ◽  
Hiv Risk Behavior ◽  
Bisexual Men ◽  
Social Ecological ◽  
The Social ◽  
Sex With Men

In the United States, gay, bisexual men, and men who have sex with men (MSM) represent 86% of new HIV infections among males. Approximately 1 in 7 men with HIV are unaware of their HIV status (CDC, 2017, 2019a, 2020a). To explore influences on MSM HIV risk behavior, the authors performed a systematic review of quantitative studies conducted in the U.S. assessing what is purported as masculinity. From 30 identified studies, significant findings were framed within the Social Ecological Model (SEM) levels (e.g., Individual, Relationship, Community). SEM level themes were applied to create the Masculinity 10, a preliminary 10-item assessment to explore the influence of masculinity on MSM HIV risk behavior. To increase MSM engagement in HIV prevention and treatment, the influences of masculinity (e.g., attitude toward sexual minorities, appearance, emotion, temperament, substance use, sexual activity, social support, intimate relationships, health care) on HIV risk behavior should be further explored.

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