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Intervention Description
Intervention Package Information
Evaluation Study and Results
References and Contact Information
Intervention Description
Target Population
HIV-negative or HIV-unknown serostatus black men who have sex with men (MSM)
Goals of Intervention
- Reduce unprotected insertive and receptive anal intercourse
- Reduce the number of sex partners
- Increase consistent condom use during anal intercourse
- Increase testing for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
Brief Description
Many Men, Many Voices (3MV) is a group-level intervention that addresses behavioral and social determinants
and other factors influencing the HIV/STI risk and protective behaviors of black MSM. The other factors
include cultural, social and religious norms, identity of black MSM and their degree of connectedness to the
black and gay communities, HIV/STI interactions, sexual relationship dynamics, and the social influences of
racism and homophobia. The intervention consists of 6 consecutive 2- to 3-hour sessions delivered during a
weekend retreat (half-day Friday and all day Saturday and Sunday). Rather than a singular emphasis on condom
use, 3MV uses a menu of behavior change options for HIV/STI prevention. Session 1 (The Culture of Black MSM)
helps participants recognize how racism and homophobia are related to sexual and substance use risk behaviors.
Session 2 (STI/HIV Prevention for Black MSM) describes the roles of ‘‘Tops’’ and ‘‘Bottoms’’ as they relate to
sexual relationship dynamics and the risk of STI and HIV transmission. Session 3 (STI/HIV Risk Assessment and
Prevention Options) helps participants personalize their own risk by building a menu of behavioral options
(e.g., abstinence, mutual monogamy between 2 HIV-seronegative partners, consistent condom use) to reduce
HIV/STI transmission risk. Session 4 (Intentions to Act & Capacity for Change) enhances participants’ intentions
to change their own risky behaviors, and guides them toward safer sex behaviors. During Session 5 (Relationship
issues: Partner selection, Communication & Negotiation), participants recognize power and control dynamics in
their relationships, and are encouraged to select and implement a relationship-focused risk-reduction behavior
change option with their partner(s). Session 6 (Social Support & Problem Solving to Maintain Change) involves
participants role-playing communication and negotiation strategies, provides peer support to promote problem
solving, and identifies effective risk-reduction strategies if relapse should occur.
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Theoretic Basis
- Social cognitive theory
- Behavioral skills acquisition model
- Transtheoretical model of behavior change
- Decisional balance model
Intervention Duration
Six consecutive 2- to 3-hour sessions during a weekend retreat
Intervention Settings
Retreat facility
Deliverer
Two trained black MSM peer co-facilitators
Delivery Methods
- Discussion
- Role play
- Risk-reduction plan
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Intervention Package Information
The intervention package and training are available through CDC’s
Diffusion of Effective Behavioral Interventions (DEBI) project
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Evaluation Study and Results
The original evaluation was conducted in New York City
between 2005 and 2006.
Key Intervention Effects
- Reduced unprotected anal intercourse with casual sex partners
- Reduced number of male sex partners
Study Sample
The analytic study sample of 338 men is characterized by the following:
- 68% African American, 17% Caribbean/West Indian, 11% Afro-Latino, 3% Mixed ancestry, 1% African
- 99% Male, 1% Transgender
- 78% gay, 18% bisexual, 2% unsure of sexual orientation, 1% heterosexual
- Mean age of 30 years, range: 18-72 years
- 93% completed high school education or more
Recruitment Settings
Venues (i.e. black gay pride festivals, nightclubs) and public areas/communities throughout New York City
Eligibility Criteria
Men were eligible if they self-identified as a black MSM (i.e., self-identified
as gay, bisexual or same gender-loving, or as being sexually active with other
men, or sexually or emotionally attracted to other men), were 18 years of age
or older, willing to attend and participate in an HIV/STI prevention intervention
retreat delivered outside of New York City without their primary partner or
boyfriend and discuss male-to-male sexual behavior in a group setting, had not
previously participated in the Many Men, Many Voices intervention, reported their
HIV serostatus as HIV-negative or unknown, and resided in New York City with no
plans to relocate within 6 months.
Assignment Method
Black MSM (N = 338) were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 groups: Many Men, Many Voices (3MV) intervention (n = 164) or wait-list control (n = 174).
Comparison Group
The wait-list control group was scheduled to receive a delayed intervention 6 months following the completion
of their baseline assessment.
Relevant Outcomes Measured and Follow-up Time
Sex behaviors during past 3 months (including number of male sex partners, number of episodes of unprotected
insertive or receptive intercourse acts with main or casual partners, condom use during insertive or receptive
anal intercourse with main or casual male sex partners, number of episodes of unprotected and protected vaginal
and anal sex with women) were measured at 3 and 6 months post-intervention.
Participant Retention
- Many Men, Many Voices Intervention (3MV):
73% retained at 3 months
77% retained at 6 months
- Wait-list Control:
72% retained at 3 months
76% retained at 6 months
Significant Findings
- At the 3-month follow-up, the 3MV intervention participants reported having significantly fewer male (main or casual) sex partners compared to the wait-list control participants (p = .04).
- At the 6-month follow-up, the 3MV intervention participants reported significantly fewer episodes of any unprotected anal intercourse with casual partners (p = .012) and unprotected insertive anal intercourse with casual partners (p = .005) compared to the wait-list control participants.
- Across the 2 follow-up time periods, the 3MV intervention participants reported significantly fewer episodes of unprotected insertive anal intercourse with casual partners compared to the wait-list control participants (p = .015).
Considerations
- At the 6-month follow-up, the 3MV intervention participants were significantly more likely to report HIV testing behavior compared to the wait-list control participants (p = .023). Across the 2 follow-up time periods, the HIV testing behavior was significantly higher among participants in the 3MV intervention group compared to those in the wait-list control group (p = .016).
- There were no significant intervention effects on any unprotected anal intercourse with main partners or STI testing behavior at the 3- or 6-month follow-ups, but the direction of all changes was protective and favored intervention participants.
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References and Contact Information
- Wilton, L., Herbst, J. H., Coury-Doniger, P., Painter, T. M., English, G., Alvarez, M. E., et al. (2009). Efficacy of an HIV/STI prevention intervention for black men who have sex with men: Findings from the Many Men, Many Voices (3MV) Project. AIDS and Behavior, 13, 532-544.
Researcher: Dr. Leo Wilton
Department of Human Development, College of Community and Public Affairs
State University of New York at Binghamton
P.O. Box 6000
Binghamton, NY 13902
email: lwilton@binghamton.edu
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