UC San Diego

Introduction : Men who have sex with men (MSM) who abuse alcohol are at increased risk for unprotected sexual intercourse, which may lead to transmission of HIV. Although there is no definitive causal link between alcohol use and risky sexual behavior, the two behaviors are highly correlated. Design : A randomized control trial was designed to test a brief alcohol intervention against an attention-placebo control intervention. A sample of 152 MSM were recruited over 13 weeks at a local gay bar. Sober bar patrons were recruited prior to entering the bar and asked to complete a brief assessment and receive feedback. Patrons were randomly assigned to receive feedback on their planned alcohol use or on their carbon footprint (attention-placebo control condition). This scripted feedback, based on the health belief model, was tailored to the individual through a brief assessment. Participants were asked to complete a brief survey and give a breath sample at exit from the bar. Participants were followed-up within one week to assess alcohol-related problems and sexual activity following the interview night. Findings : Breath alcohol concentrations (BrAC) at exit from the bar were not significantly different between those in the experimental alcohol feedback condition and those in the attention-placebo control condition. Among participants receiving the experimental brief alcohol intervention, those categorized as high-risk for alcohol-related problems at entrance drank significantly less than planned as compared to participants categorized as low-risk for alcohol related problems (F=13.9, p<0.001). Further, participants categorized as high-risk at entrance drove at a significantly lower rate than participants categorized as low-risk and at-risk (x2=8.9, p<0.05). Discussion: This brief alcohol intervention did not significantly reduce BrAC at exit from the bar for the group as a whole. However, evidence indicates that this intervention was more appropriate for those who planned to drink at rates that would put them at higher risk of alcohol related problems as compared to those who were at low-risk of alcohol related problems