The gay cruise: Developing a theory- and evidence-based Internet HIV-prevention intervention

Abstract

This article presents the development of a theory- and evidence-based Internet HIV-prevention program for Dutch men who have sex with men (MSM) they have met on the Internet. The program is based on a protocol called Intervention Mapping (IM), which includes six steps. In Step 1 of IM, we conducted a needs assessment. In Step 2 we established program objectives to get e-dating MSM to use condoms consistently. In Step 3 we translated theoretical methods into practical strategies. In Step 4 we integrated the strategies into an intervention called Gay Cruise in which virtual pursers introduced participants to the strategies. In Step 5 we discussed large-scale implementation. And in Step 6 we dis- cussed process and effect evaluation. We conclude that IM can be a helpful tool for developing and improving Internet HIV-prevention interventions.