EL SALVADOR, NICARAGUA & PANAMA (2012): Estudio de impacto de la metodologia "Viviendo la Vida" entre hombres que tienen sexo con hombres y chicas trans

BACKGROUND HIV/AIDS prevalence in America is primarily concentrated among men who have sex with men (MSM). In 2007-2008 the prevalence rate ranges between 7.6%-15.3% , compared to a prevalence rate no greater than 3.3% among female sex workers (FSW), the second group with the highest prevalence in the region. While PASMO-PSI has targeted their BCC methodologies among these groups, measurement of their effectiveness has been difficult. TRaC studies are not designed to measure a counterfactual situation and thus cannot be used to provide rigorous attribution of programmatic impact. The present study design proposes a pre and post test with two groups, with only one of them receiving VIVE LA VIDA, and the other group working as a comparison group. That would allow making causal inferences between the intervention and the behavior. At the same time, this study proposes in-depth interviews with both groups to understand better the mechanisms that worked to produce or not the expected result. PROGRAM Name of program: VIVE LA VIDA Main objectives: The primary objective of VIVE LA VIDA is to promote condom use, measured at last sex, among men who have sex with men in Central America. Consistent condom use is promoted through development of participants' self-efficacy, locus of control, risk perceptions, beliefs about trust and intention to carry a condom at all times. Secondary objectives are to reduce sexual partners and promote use of water-based lubricants in conjunction with condoms. Research Objectives This study aims first to test the impact of VIVE LA VIDA on condom use among men who have sex with men. A secondary aim is to determine whether the program operates through a hypothesized set of opportunity, ability and motivation factors, including: self-efficacy, locus of control, risk perception, positive beliefs and carrying a condom all the time