4172.0 Interventions to reduce alcohol use and HIV risk among sexual and gender minority populations: A systematic review

Session: Emerging Issues in HIV/AIDS Poster Session V

Program: HIV/AIDS

Time: 12:30 - 1:30 PM

Presenter:

Trace Kershaw, PhD

Abstract

Background: Hazardous alcohol use reinforces disparities in HIV transmission risk for sexual and gender minority (SGM) individuals. SGM individuals continue to face challenges (including stigma and discrimination) resulting in the maladaptive use of alcohol and its associated disruption of HIV protective behaviors. This review aims to identify and synthesize evidence on interventions developed to reduce both alcohol use and HIV risk behaviors among SGM populations.

Methods: A scoping review was conducted on six English databases using a predefined search strategy. Studies were included if they were published from 2012-2022 and evaluated interventions targeting both alcohol use and sexual HIV risk reduction for SGM populations.

Results: 14 studies met the inclusion criteria. Half were randomized control trials (RCTs) and the other half were single-arm, non-randomized studies. Virtually all the interventions targeted men who have sex with men (MSM), with none focused on transgender populations or cisgender women. The most common intervention approach was motivational interviewing or enhancement (n=7). While the studies demonstrated some evidence of effectiveness in reducing alcohol use and/or sexual risk, effects for both alcohol and sexual risk behavior were only observed in 4 of the 7 RCTs and 3 of the non-randomized studies.

Conclusion: While the evidence base for alcohol and HIV risk reduction interventions among SGM is still growing, this review suggests that these approaches can be effective in targeting these behaviors, at least for MSM. The use of larger-scale RCTs with diverse populations and standardized outcome measures are needed to strengthen the evidence base.