Effectiveness of HIV health education interventions on the MSM population: A meta-analysis

Men who have sex with men (MSM) face a heightened risk of HIV, presenting a significantpublic health issue. This meta-analysis evaluates the effectiveness of HIV health educationfor MSM by examining changes in knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors across differentcultures and regions. The study also explores heterogeneity sources through subgroup andsensitivity analyses to guide future research. Searches were conducted in databasesincluding China Knowledge, Wipo, Wanfang, PubMed, and Web of Science, covering studiesup to December 1, 2023. Included were controlled pre-post trials on HIV education’s impacton MSM. Independent data extraction and analysis were completed by two researchersusing RevMan 5.7. Pre-registration was done with PROSPERO. Twenty-seven studies metcriteria. Post-intervention, significant improvements were noted in HIV knowledge (OR: 0.49;95% CI: 0.44–0.56), condom use over six months (OR: 0.47; 95% CI: 0.38–0.58), and condomuse in recent same-sex encounters (OR: 0.44; 95% CI: 0.29–0.66). Larger samples (>500) orlong-term interventions (>1 year) enhanced homogeneity (I² = 0%). In conclusion, theseinterventions significantly boost knowledge and condom use, identifying sample size andintervention duration as primary heterogeneity influences, guiding future strategyoptimization.

• Epidemiology and Determinants of Health
  • Determinants of Health
• Determinants of Health
  • Education
  • Other
• Population(s)
  • Men who have sex with men
  • General HIV+ population
  • General HIV- population
• Prevention, Engagement and Care Cascade
  • Engagement and Care Cascade
  • Prevention
• Engagement and Care Cascade
  • Treatment
• Prevention
  • Sexual risk behaviour
  • Education/media campaigns
• Health Systems
  • Delivery arrangements