Testing the kinsey institute® homework intervention strategy (KIHIS) among men who have sex with men

Background: Half of the new HIV infections in the U.S. are among men who have sex with men (MSM) between the ages of 13 and 24 years.[1] College-aged MSM are more likely than older MSM and men who only have sex with women to be infected with HIV. Therefore, there is a need to explore ways of increasing condom use in this population. The Kinsey Institute® Homework Intervention Strategy (KIHIS) was designed and tested by the Condom Use Research Team (CURT).[2-3] The purpose of this study was to test of feasibility and efficacy of this intervention and to promote positive condom attitudes and to reduce risk behaviors among MSM. Methods: Approximately 30 MSM were recruited from a Midwestern University and it's surrounding community. A pre-test questionnaire was administered, and participants were given ditty bags that included condoms and lubrication. Participants were asked to try different condoms and complete condom ratings on-line. A post-test questionnaire was given at Day 15 and an additional follow-up questionnaire at Day 45. Results: Repeated measure analyses were used to compare pre-test to post-test responses. Significant post-intervention improvements were found for beliefs and application of condoms, self-efficacy, condom attitude, motivation to use condoms, and consistency of condom use for insertive penile-anal intercourse. Conclusion: The KIHIS findings suggest that this intervention could be applicable to college-aged MSM, and could be a great resource or model for public health condom interventions.