A Small-group Intervention to Reduce HIV Sexual Transmission Risk Behavior Among HIV-positive Men Who Have Sex With Men

A Small-group Intervention to Reduce HIV Sexual Transmission Risk Behavior Among HIV-positive Men Who Have Sex With Men

Gay Poz Sex (GPS) is an HIV prevention and sexual health promotion program for HIV-positive gay and bisexual men, which takes place in a group counselling format. All participants provided written informed consent at the outset of the study. Eligible participants filled out a 1-hour computer-assisted self-interview questionnaire. Subsequently, participants attended seven 2-hour group sessions, led by 2 peer facilitators, who were HIV-positive gay men, in groups of 5-8 men. Immediately and 3 months following the completion of the GPS program, participants were scheduled to attend a 1-hour session to complete the same questionnaire package. Participants received an honorarium and a list of community resources, including mental health or substance use counseling services, at the end of each assessment. Participants also participated in a program evaluation interview at the 3-month follow-up assessment.

Inclusion Criteria:

In order to be eligible to participate in the study, participants had to:

1. identify as male,
2. report engaging in condomless anal sex with another male during the past 3 months,
3. self-report an HIV-positive status,
4. be over the age of 18 years old, and
5. be able to speak and read in English.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Self-reported female gender,
• no condomless anal sex with another male during past 3 months,
• HIV-negative