Effects of a social network HIV/STD prevention intervention for MSM in Russia and Hungary: a randomized controlled trial.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

To test a novel social network HIV risk-reduction intervention for MSM in Russia and Hungary, where same-sex behavior is stigmatized and men may best be reached through their social network connections.

Design

A two-arm trial with 18 sociocentric networks of MSM randomized to the social network intervention or standard HIV/STD testing/counseling.

Setting

St. Petersburg, Russia and Budapest, Hungary.

Participants

Eighteen 'seeds' from community venues invited the participation of their MSM friends who, in turn, invited their own MSM friends into the study, a process that continued outward until eighteen three-ring sociocentric networks (mean size = 35 members, n = 626) were recruited.

Intervention

Empirically identified network leaders were trai

SUBMITTER: Amirkhanian YA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4497559 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature