@article{pittir18860, volume = {26}, number = {4}, month = {February}, author = {BA Koblin and S Bonner and B Powell and P Metralexis and JE Egan and J Patterson and G Xu and DR Hoover and K Goodman and J Chin and HV Tieu and P Spikes}, title = {A randomized trial of a behavioral intervention for black MSM: The DiSH study}, journal = {AIDS}, pages = {483 -- 488}, year = {2012}, url = {http://d-scholarship-dev.library.pitt.edu/18860/}, abstract = {Objective: To test a new behavioral intervention for black MSM in reducing sexual risk and increasing social support and intentions to use condoms. Design: A single-site, unblinded randomized trial in New York City with 3-month follow-up. Methods: Participants (n=283) reporting at least two sexual partners and unprotected anal intercourse with a man in the past 3 months were enrolled and randomized to a social-cognitive theory-based intervention or control comparison. Men in the intervention group participated in five 2-h group sessions focused on creating a group environment with sexual risk-reduction information and exercises woven into joint meal preparation and sharing activities, while exploring self-efficacy perceptions and outcome expectancies. Intervention (n=142) and control (n=141) groups received standard HIV counseling and testing at baseline. Results: No significant differences were found between study arms at 3 months in number of male partners, number of unprotected anal intercourse partners, proportion reporting unprotected sex, number of acts protected by condoms, self-efficacy, condom attitudes, condom intentions, social isolation and psychological distress. In both arms combined, declines from baseline to 3 months were observed in sexual risk behaviors, social isolation and psychological distress, whereas self-efficacy, condom attitudes and condom intentions improved. Conclusion: As the HIV epidemic continues to have a dramatic impact on black MSM in the USA, the urgency to design innovative interventions continues. {\copyright} 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health {\ensuremath{|}} Lippincott Williams \& Wilkins.} }