Prevention with gay and bisexual men living with HIV: rationale and methods of the Seropositive Urban Men's Intervention Trial (SUMIT)

Abstract

Objectives: To provide a public health rationale for prevention with HIV-seropositive gay and bisexual men and to describe the methods of the Seropositive Urban Men's Intervention Trial (SUMIT).

Design: A randomized intervention trial.

Methods: Self-identified HIV-positive gay and bisexual men were recruited from community-based venues in New York City and San Francisco. Eligible participants completed an A-CASI baseline assessment, were asked to provide samples for sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing, and were randomly assigned to either a single-session intervention or a six-session enhanced intervention designed to reduce HIV transmission risk and promote serostatus disclosure. Participants who attended the first intervention session were assessed 3 and 6 months post-intervention. STI testing was offered at the 6-month assessment.

Results: A total of 1168 self-identified HIV-seropositive gay and bisexual men completed the baseline assessment, and 1110 of these (95%) opted for STI testing. A total of 811 attended the first intervention session, of which 85% were assessed at 3 months and 90% were assessed at 6 months. Of those assessed at 6 months, 92% (670/729) provided a blood or urine sample for STI testing.

Conclusion: SUMIT demonstrates the feasibility and acceptability of prevention research with HIV-seropositive gay and bisexual men. The study provides new information about the sexual behavior, serostatus disclosure practices, and the efficacy of an intervention to reduce HIV transmission risk.