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This Article Figures Only Full Text Full Text (PDF) All Versions of this Article: AJPH.2007.123893v1 99/S1/S96    most recent Submit a response View Shopping Cart Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Crosby, R. Articles by Troutman, A. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Crosby, R. Articles by Troutman, A. Related Collections HIV/AIDS Prevention Health Education African Americans/Blacks Sexual Health Men's Health

Richard Crosby, PhD, Ralph J. DiClemente, PhD, Richard Charnigo, PhD, Gregory Snow and Adewale Troutman, MD

Richard A. Crosby and Greg Snow are with the Department of Health Behavior, University of Kentucky, Lexington. Ralph J. DiClemente is with the Department of Behavioral Sciences and Health Education, Emory University, Atlanta, GA. Richard Charnigo is with the Department of Biostatistics, University of Kentucky, Lexington. Adewale Troutman is with the Louisville Metropolitan Health Department, Louisville, KY.

Correspondence: Requests for reprints should be sent to Richard A. Crosby, PhD, College of Public Health, 121 Washington Ave, Lexington, KY 40506-0003 (e-mail: crosby{at}uky.edu).

Objective. We evaluated the efficacy of a brief, clinic-based, safer sex program administered by a lay health adviser for young heterosexual African American men newly diagnosed with a sexually transmitted disease (STD).

Methods. Subsequent to STD diagnosis, eligible men (N = 266; aged 18–29 years) were randomized to either a personalized, single-session intervention (delivered by a lay health adviser) or standard of care. We conducted behavioral assessments at baseline and 3 months postintervention (retention was 74.1%). We also conducted a 6-month clinic record review.

Results. Compared to men randomized to the control condition, those receiving the intervention were significantly less likely to acquire subsequent STDs (50.4% vs 31.9%; P = .002) and more likely to report using condoms during last sexual intercourse (72.4% vs 53.9%; P = .008). They also reported fewer sexual partners (mean 2.06 vs 4.15; P < .001) and fewer acts of unprotected sex (mean 12.3 vs 29.4; P = .045). Based on a 9-point rating scale, men in the intervention group had higher proficiency scores for condom application skills (mean difference = 3.17; P < .001).

Conclusion. A brief clinic-based intervention delivered by a lay health adviser may be an efficacious strategy to reduce incident STDs among young heterosexual African American men.