Rationale, Design & Methods of the Ecological Study of Sexual Behaviors & HIV/STI among African American Men Who Have Sex with Men in the Southeastern United States (The MARI Study)

BACKGROUND:

This paper describes the rationale, design, and methodology of the Ecological Study of Sexual Behaviors and HIV/STI among African American Men Who Have Sex with Men (MSM) in the Southeastern United States (U.S.; known locally simply as the MARI Study).

METHODS:

Participants are African American MSM aged 18 years and older residing in the deep South.

RESULTS:

Between 2013 and 2015, 800 African American MSM recruited from two study sites (Jackson, MS and Atlanta, GA) will undergo a 1.5-hour examination to obtain anthropometric and blood pressure measures as well as to undergo testing for sexually transmitted infections (STI), including HIV. Intrapersonal, interpersonal, and environmental factors are assessed by audio computer-assisted self-interview survey. Primary outcomes include sexual risk behaviors (e.g., condomless anal sex) and prevalent STIs (HIV, syphilis, gonorrhea, and Chlamydia).

CONCLUSION:

The MARI Study will typify the HIV environmental 'riskscape' and provide empirical evidence into novel ecological correlates of HIV risk among African American MSM in the deep South, a population most heavily impacted by HIV. The study's anticipated findings will be of interest to a broad audience and lead to more informed prevention efforts, including effective policies and interventions, that achieve the goals of the updated 2020 U.S. National HIV/AIDS Strategy.

Below:  Instructions, with Illustrations, for the Self-Collected Pharyngeal Swab for Gonorrhea and Chlamydia Testing (Aptima CA2, Hologic, San Diego, California)

Below:   Instructions, with Illustrations, for the Self-Collected Rectal Swab for Gonorrhea and Chlamydia Testing (Aptima CA2, Hologic, San Diego, California)

Full article at:   http://goo.gl/HBJIc1

By:   Hickson DA1,2, Truong NL1, Smith-Bankhead N3, Sturdevant N1, Duncan DT4, Schnorr J3, Gipson JA5, Mena LA2.

• 1Center for Research, Evaluation and Environmental & Policy Change, My Brother's Keeper, Inc, 510 George Street, Unit 100, Jackson, MS, United States of America.
• 2Department of Medicine, University of Mississippi Medical Center, 2500 North State Street, Jackson, MS 39213, United States of America.
• 3R.E.D. Institute, AID Atlanta, Inc., 1605 Peachtree Street NE, Atlanta, GA 30309, United States of America.
• 4Department of Population Health, New York University School of Medicine, 227 E 30th Street Room 621, New York, NY, 10016, United States of America.
• 5Center for Community-Based Programs, My Brother's Keeper, Inc, 710 Avignon Drive, Ridgeland, MS, United States of America. 

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