Title: The clinical effectiveness of behaviour change interventions to reduce risky sexual behaviour after a negative HIV test in men who have sex with men (MSM): a systematic review
Funder: Chief Scientist Office (Scotland)

Abstract: Research question: What is the clinical effectiveness of individual behaviour change interventions to reduce risky sexual behaviour after a negative HIV test in MSM?Design: an evidence synthesis which will consist of a systematic review meta-analysis of direct indirect and networked evidence with embedded behaviour change technique (BCT) taxonomy and theory coding analyses. By using network meta-analysis multiple comparisons (of interventions or components of interventions) can be compared simultaneously in one analysis while preserving the randomised structure of the evidence. Allowing a rigorous extraction of novel information. An expert review group will be invited to assess transferability of interventions to the full range of contemporary testing settings and intervention delivery modalities. Target population: MSM attending for HIV testing who test negative. Strategy: Four part search strategy: search of electronic bibliographic databases for published work (including CINAHL Cochrane Library Embase MEDLINE and PsychINFO); ‘grey’ literature search; search of trials registers for ongoing and recently completed trials and; search of reference lists of published studies searching citations in key studies contact authors of studies. Databases will be searched from 2000 with no language restrictions. All search results will be imported and managed in bibliographic reference management software (Endnote).Health technologies being assessed: Motivational individual behavioural change interventions reducing HIV acquisition risk. Current evidence suggests brief single or intensive (multi-session) behaviour change interventions which are theory informed address the acquisition of interpersonal skills and increase motivation to adopt safer sexual behaviour are effective. However further analysis is needed through updating the evidence base and conducting a detailed re-analysis of the evidence following developments with BCT taxonomy analyses. This will identify candidate intervention(s) suitable for various settings and delivery modalities. Measurement of costs and outcomes: all short medium and long-term outcomes including behavioural (e.g. condom use HIV testing) biological (e.g. HIV/STI incidence) learning (e.g. condom acquisition skills) cognition (e.g. PrEP self-efficacy) and economic (all outcomes relating to cost-effectiveness). The resource required to deliver candidate interventions will be estimated.Project timetables: A 12 month study employing one researcher and expert input from the project team: protocol and search strategy finalized by month 2 data extraction completed month 7 data analysis completed month 9 expert event month 10.Expertise in team: an exceptional team of interdisciplinary and clinical experts with a substantial track record of successful collaboration in: 1) evidence synthesis review meta- analysis and BCT taxonomy experience within sexual health and blood borne viruses; 2) shaping HIV policy and service delivery; and 3) international expertise within the specific subject area: trials of interventions to improve sexual health of MSM the barriers and facilitators of HIV testing amongst MSM changing patterns in HIV testing changing patterns in sexual behaviour HIV testing within GUM settings HIV testing in non-traditional settings targeting HIV testing at specific patients using on-line and mobile phone technology to assess barriers to HIV testing.


Research activity codes: 3.1 PRIMARY PREVENTION INTERVENTIONS TO MODIFY BEHAVIOURS OR PROMOTE WELL-BEING
Health categories: INFECTION