Factors Associated with Attrition from an HIV-Prevention Program for Gay and Bisexual Males

Abstract

Among 340 gay and bisexual males who enrolled in a 14-session HIV-prevention group counseling program delivered by telephone, 21.2% (n = 72) failed to attend any counseling sessions, 10% (n = 34) dropped out early, 18.9% (n = 64) dropped out late, and 50% (n = 170) completed counseling. Those who did not complete counseling tended to be younger, have lower levels of income, be less gay-identified, and experience logistical barriers to participation. Entering a new committed relationship after enrolling in the program was also associated with earlier attrition from treatment. Individuals with higher baseline levels of high-risk sexual behaviors, and those with lower motivation or confidence in changing, were not differentially vulnerable to attrition from the intervention. However, treatment completers reported more positive outcomes at follow-up relative to those who left the program. This finding underscores the importance of greater tailoring of preventive interventions in order to more successfully retain the non-gay-identified individual, and to reduce logistical impediments to participation. Other important implications pertain to countering possibly inaccurate risk perceptions concerning the absence of HIV transmission risk within committed relationships.