Randomized trial to reduce club drug use and HIV risk behaviors among men who have sex with men.

Abstract

We examined the effectiveness of motivational interviewing (MI) on club drug use and risky sex in non-treatment-seeking men who have sex with men (MSM). MSM (N=150) were assessed and randomly assigned to four sessions of MI or an educational control intervention. Follow up occurred at quarterly intervals for 1 year. Primary outcomes were days of any club drug use and number of unsafe sex acts. On average, club drug use declined during follow up. A significant interaction effect showed that MI was associated with less club drug use during follow up compared to education, but only among participants with lower severity of drug dependence (p<.02; small to medium effect size). MI did not result in a significant reduction in risky sex relative to education. The results support the use of MI targeting club drug use in at-risk or mildly dependent users not seeking treatment, but not in more severely dependent users. MI does not appear effective in reducing risky sexual behavior in this population.