Barber-Led HIV/Sexually Transmitted Infection Risk Reduction for Young African-American Men: Efficacy and Mediation in a Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial.

Purpose: The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and mediation of a culturally appropriate, theory-based HIV/STI (sexually transmitted infection) risk-reduction intervention delivered in barbershops by barbers via iPads to African-American young men in reducing sexual risk behaviors.

Methods: In a cluster randomized controlled trial, 24 matched pairs of barbershops serving African-American men ages 18-24 in the 10 Philadelphia, PA zip codes with the highest HIV/AIDS prevalence were randomized to implement via iPads one of 2 interventions: "Shape Up! Barbers Building Better Brothers," an HIV/STI risk-reduction intervention based on the theory of planned behavior and formative research or an attention-matched violence-prevention control intervention. The primary outcome was self-reported consistent condom use 3, 6, and 12 months postintervention, controlling for baseline consistent condom use.