Many Men, Many Voices (3MV)

Many Men, Many Voices (3MV) is an intervention that addresses behavioral and social determinants that influence the risk of HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among black men who have sex with men (MSM). This social group experiences disproportionately high rates of HIV and STIs and specific interventions are required to stop the spread of these diseases.

The 3MV intervention consists of six consecutive 2- to 3-hour sessions. The 3MV program uses multiple behavior change options for HIV/STI prevention in addition to the promotion of condom use. Session 1, "The Culture of Black MSM," helps participants recognize how racism and homophobia are related to risky sexual behaviors. Session 2 describes the roles of ''Tops'' and ''Bottoms'' as they relate to relationship dynamics and the risk of HIV/STI transmission. Session 3 focuses on HIV/STI risk assessment and prevention options and helps participants personalize the prevention of risk. Session 4, "Intentions to Act & Capacity for Change," encourages participants' to replace their own risky behaviors with safer sex behaviors. Session 5, "Relationship issues: Partner selection, Communication & Negotiation," helps participants recognize power and control dynamics in their relationships. In session 6 participants role-play communication and negotiation strategies with their partners. These sessions were specifically designed to include the particular risks and needs of men on the 'down lo' or without female sexual partners who have sex with other men but do not identify as gay or bisexual.

Reduce unprotected insertive and receptive anal intercourse among HIV-negative black men who have sex with men (MSM) as well as to reduce the number of sex partners, increase consistent condom use during anal intercourse and increase testing for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

A study to evaluate the 3MV program was conducted in New York City in 2005 and 2006. Three hundred thirty-eight black men participated in the study.

Three months after the intervention, participants who went through the 3MV program reported having significantly fewer male sex partners (either main partners or casual partners) when compared with a group of men who did not participate in the 3MV intervention (p=0.04). At the 6-month follow-up, the 3MV intervention participants reported significantly fewer episodes of any unprotected anal intercourse with casual partners (p=0.012) and unprotected insertive anal intercourse with casual partners (p=0.005) compared to the control group.