An Innovative HIV Prevention Intervention Using Social Networking Technology

Inclusion Criteria:

Phase I:

For the focus group portion of the study (N=20), we will invite former YMHP participants who declined the intervention or only completed one session, agreed to be contacted for future studies, indicated using Facebook, are still between the ages of 18-29 and live in NYC.

Phase II:

To qualify for the intervention portion of the study, participants must report

1. at least 5 days of drug use (of 1 or more of the following drugs: cocaine, methamphetamine (MA), or ecstasy (MDMA) in the prior three months;
2. high-risk sexual behavior (1 or more acts of unprotected insertive or receptive anal sex with a male partner of unknown or HIV+ serostatus), in the prior three months;
3. biologically male;
4. age 18 to 29;
5. HIV-;
6. reliable Internet access;
7. Facebook use at least four times per week;
8. able to write in English given that intervention participation involves writing;
9. NYC residency.

Exclusion Criteria:

Participants will be excluded for any of the following reasons:

1. Unstable, serious psychiatric symptoms;
2. Currently suicidal/homicidal;
3. Evidence of gross cognitive impairment;
4. Self-reported current enrollment in a drug or HIV-related intervention or research study.

We exclude those with serious cognitive or psychiatric impairments because this would compromise ability to participate, regardless of whether these impairments are attributed to drug use. Such impairments would make completion of assessments difficult.

Excluded participants will be referred to local community health and social services resources, for which we have established linkages to facilitate access to care regardless of ability to pay.