Reducing Sexual Risk Behaviors and Improving Health for People at a Sexually Transmitted Infection Clinic

Reducing Sexual Risk Behaviors and Improving Health for People at a Sexually Transmitted Infection Clinic

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), University of Rochester, Brown University, Syracuse University

This study will determine whether showing an educational DVD to people at sexually transmitted infection clinics can reduce incidence of new infections and risky sexual behaviors and improve overall health.

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can produce long-term health problems. They are often linked to HIV, which can also be sexually transmitted, because both occur in the same populations and because STIs and HIV interact biologically. Having an STI other than HIV can increase the risk of HIV acquisition and transmission as well as negatively impact HIV progression. The population of people who go to clinics specializing in STIs are particularly at risk of engaging in risky sexual behaviors and having poor health outcomes-like infection with an STI. This study will test the effectiveness of using an educational DVD to reduce incidence of risky sexual behaviors and STI acquisition, including risk of HIV, and to improve overall health. Participation in this study will involve two phases. In Phase 1, participants will complete both computerized and paper surveys and watch an educational DVD. The educational DVD may include information on diet, physical activity, sleep, smoking, STIs, and stress. Participants will be recruited from among people who are already going to the clinic, and participation will add approximately 1.5 hours to their visits. In Phase 2, participants will be asked to complete four follow-up visits occurring 3, 6, 9, and 12 months after Phase 1. During these follow-up visits, participants will complete a 45-minute computerized survey similar to that in Phase 1 and provide urine and throat samples for STI testing. All surveys will assess health-related thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, including sexual behaviors. Participants will be compensated for completing Phase 1 and each visit in Phase 2.

The first version of a 20-minute educational DVD aimed to help adult patients reduce sexual risk behaviors (i.e., number of partners, unprotected sex, incident sexually transmitted diseases [STDs]) and improve health

The second version of a 20-minute educational DVD aimed to help adult patients reduce sexual risk behaviors (i.e., number of partners, unprotected sex, incident STDs) and improve health

number of participants diagnosed with a new STI (CT, Gc, trichomoniasis, syphilis, or HIV) throughout the entire year of follow-up; includes participants who provided a study urine sample for STI testing at 3, 6, 9, and/or 12 months post intervention and participants who received STI testing through the clinic during the year of follow up

Inclusion Criteria: Evidence of sexual risk behavior, defined as either signs, symptoms, or diagnosis indicative of an STD during the past 3 months; or unprotected vaginal or anal intercourse with two or more sexual partners, a partner with two or more partners, an anonymous partner, an injection drug using partner, or a partner with an STD Exclusion Criteria: Impaired mental status that would prevent participant from providing informed consent or participating meaningfully Inability to understand English

Carey MP, Senn TE, Coury-Doniger P, Urban MA, Vanable PA, Carey KB. Optimizing the scientific yield from a randomized controlled trial (RCT): evaluating two behavioral interventions and assessment reactivity with a single trial. Contemp Clin Trials. 2013 Sep;36(1):135-46. doi: 10.1016/j.cct.2013.06.019. Epub 2013 Jun 29.

Carey KB, Senn TE, Walsh JL, Scott-Sheldon LA, Carey MP. Alcohol Use Predicts Number of Sexual Partners for Female but not Male STI Clinic Patients. AIDS Behav. 2016 Jan;20 Suppl 1(0 1):S52-9. doi: 10.1007/s10461-015-1177-9.

Carey MP, Senn TE, Walsh JL, Coury-Doniger P, Urban MA, Fortune T, Vanable PA, Carey KB. Evaluating a Brief, Video-Based Sexual Risk Reduction Intervention and Assessment Reactivity with STI Clinic Patients: Results from a Randomized Controlled Trial. AIDS Behav. 2015 Jul;19(7):1228-46. doi: 10.1007/s10461-014-0960-3.