Steering Together in a New Direction: Reducing the Risk of HIV/STD Among African American Men

STAND HIV Risk Reduction Intervention, designed to increase consistent condom use and reduce other sexual risk behaviors, is implemented in small groups over 2 weekly 135-minute sessions. It draws on social cognitive theory, the reasoned action approach, and focus groups, a prospective survey, and an intervention pilot test with African American men. It contains culturally appropriate video clips, interactive activities, brainstorming, role-playing, and discussions designed to affect hypothesized mediators of risk-reducing behavior, including outcome expectancies about the effects of condom use on sexual enjoyment; self-efficacy and skill to have condoms available and to stop to use condoms or refuse unsafe sex even when aroused; and self-efficacy and skill to negotiate condom use.

Text Messaging Intervention participants receive text messages designed to increase the consistent use of condoms and to reduce other sexual risk behaviors. They receive 3 times a week text messages that ask about their sexual behavior and condom use that day and are asked to respond with either a 1 or 2 numeric response to indicate yes or no. Based on their responses, they receive either an affirming, pro safe-sex text message or a cautionary text against unprotected sex.