Understanding and Reducing HIV Risk Behavior and Substance Use Among Self-identified Bisexual Adolescent Men

NCT ID: NCT03409328

Last Updated: 2024-08-22

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: COMPLETED
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 60 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2021-06-11
• Study Completion Date: 2022-01-31

Brief Summary

Young gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (MSM) are disproportionately affected by HIV. Despite this burden, most HIV prevention interventions target adult MSM (most of whom identify as gay) and heterosexual youth, creating an urgent need for interventions for gay and bisexual adolescents. Further, self-identified bisexual men, especially adolescents, have been neglected in research. Therefore, little is known about factors that drive engagement in risk behavior among self-identified bisexual adolescent men. The goals of this study are to: (1) examine factors that drive engagement in HIV risk behavior and substance use among self-identified bisexual adolescent men; and (2) develop and pilot test a tailored HIV and substance use prevention intervention for this population.

Detailed Description

Young gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (MSM) are disproportionately affected by HIV. Despite this burden, most HIV prevention interventions target adult MSM (most of whom identify as gay) and heterosexual youth, creating an urgent need for interventions for gay and bisexual adolescents. Further, self-identified bisexual men, especially adolescents, have been neglected in research. This is a critical problem because: (1) there are as many, if not more, bisexual adolescent men than gay adolescent men; (2) bisexual adolescent men engage in several HIV risk behaviors more than their gay peers; (3) bisexual adolescent men are at increased risk for substance use-a robust risk factor for HIV; and (4) bisexual men face unique HIV prevention issues. Given that bisexual men are rarely included in research and most existing research on them focuses on "behaviorally bisexual" adult men, little is known about factors that drive engagement in risk behavior among self-identified bisexual adolescent men. Attending to bisexual identity is critical to reducing HIV and substance use, because bisexuality is highly stigmatized and stigma-related stressors (e.g., concerns about disclosing one's bisexual identity) impact sexual behavior, substance use, and healthcare utilization. Interventions are also more effective when tailored to populations, underscoring the need for an intervention for self-identified bisexual adolescent men. The goals of this study are to: (1) examine factors that drive engagement in HIV risk behavior and substance use among self-identified bisexual adolescent men; and (2) develop and pilot test a tailored HIV and substance use prevention intervention for this population. In Phase 1, interviews will be conducted with 60 diverse self-identified bisexual adolescent men ages 14-17 focused on sexual identity, sexual decision-making, substance use motivations, and intervention preferences/barriers. In Phase 2, a tailored intervention will be developed using findings from Phase 1. In Phase 3, feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy will be tested in a pilot randomized trial (N = 60) with a waitlist control and one-month follow-up. In sum, self-identified bisexual adolescent men are at increased risk for HIV and substance use, but little is known about factors that drive their engagement in risk behavior. By focusing on self-identified bisexual adolescent men-an underrepresented, health disparity population-this study can identify prevention targets and reduce disparities in HIV and substance use.

Conditions

HIV/AIDS; Substance Use; Bisexuality

Study Design

• Allocation Method: RANDOMIZED
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Primary Study Purpose: PREVENTION
• Blinding Strategy: NONE

Study Groups

HIV and substance use prevention

Participants in the intervention condition will receive an HIV and substance use prevention program for self-identified bisexual adolescent men. The intervention content will be developed through formative research during the initial phase of the study.

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

HIV and substance use prevention

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

The intervention content will be developed through formative research during the initial phase of the study. However, the intervention will address: bisexual-inclusive sexual health education, unique influences of risk behavior among bisexual adolescents, and skills to cope with bisexual stigma and to increase acceptance of one's bisexual identity.

Waitlist

The control condition will be a waitlist.

Group Type: NO_INTERVENTION

No interventions assigned to this group

Interventions

HIV and substance use prevention

The intervention content will be developed through formative research during the initial phase of the study. However, the intervention will address: bisexual-inclusive sexual health education, unique influences of risk behavior among bisexual adolescents, and skills to cope with bisexual stigma and to increase acceptance of one's bisexual identity.

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• Age 14-17
• Identifies as male
• Identifies as bisexual or another non-monosexual identity (e.g., pansexual)
• HIV-negative (self-report)
• Fluent in English
• Lives in United States

• Minimum Eligible Age: 14 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 17 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Sponsors

Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Brian A. Feinstein

Associate Professor

Responsibility Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

Brian A Feinstein, PhD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science

Locations

Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science

North Chicago, Illinois, United States

Countries

United States

Provided Documents

Document Type: Study Protocol and Statistical Analysis Plan

View Document

Other Identifiers

9481383

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id