Telephone Counseling to Enhance the Quality and Safety of Romantic and Sexual Relationships in People Living and Aging With HIV

The purpose of this study is to determine if a brief behavioral intervention delivered over the telephone is effective at reducing occasions of condomless sex in persons living and aging with HIV.

Estimated rates of condomless anal and vaginal intercourse among HIV-positive older adults remain high. Brief motivational interventions delivered face-to-face have demonstrated efficacy at reducing condomless sex in HIV-positive persons. However, these interventions are not contextualized to the unique sexual health needs of HIV-positive older adults. Further, many HIV-positive older adults have difficulty accessing face-to-face services due to transportation, stigma, and other barriers. Telehealth interventions represent one delivery approach that overcomes such barriers.

Inclusion Criteria:

• English speaking
• Have access to a landline or cellular telephone
• Be 50 years of age or older at some point during study participation
• Report engaging in one or more occasions of condomless anal and/or vaginal intercourse with an HIV-negative or unknown HIV serostatus sex partner in the 3 months prior to study enrollment. An exception to this criterion is participants whose HIV viral load is undetectable and whose only condomless sex is in the context of a monogamous sexual relationship with an HIV-negative partner.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Active suicidal ideation as determined by the Patient Health Questionnaire 9-item Depression Module