3 research outputs found
Recommended from our members
HIV Prevention and Care Among Black Cisgender Sexual Minority Men and Transgender Women: Protocol for an HIV Status–Neutral Cohort Study Using an Observational-Implementation Hybrid Approach
Background: Black cisgender gay, bisexual, and other sexual minority men (SMM) and transgender women (TW) continue to be heavily affected by HIV. Further research is needed to better understand HIV prevention and care outcomes in this population. In particular, there is a need for research examining the impact of substance use and sleep health on HIV prevention and treatment outcomes among Black SMM and TW. Objective: This paper outlines the study methods being used in the recently launched follow-up study to the Neighborhoods and Networks (N2) study, which we refer to as N2 Part 2 (N2P2). N2P2 aims to address this gap in the literature, build off the findings of the original N2 study, and identify socioenvironmental determinants of health, including whether neighborhood and network factors mediate and moderate these relationships. Methods: Building on the N2 cohort study in Chicago from 2018 to 2022, N2P2 used a prospective longitudinal cohort design and an observational-implementation hybrid approach. With sustained high levels of community engagement, we aim to recruit a new sample of 600 Black SMM and TW participants residing in the Chicago metropolitan statistical area. Participants are asked to participate in 3 study visits across an 18-month study period (1 visit every 9 months). Four different forms of data are collected per wave: (1) an in-person survey, (2) biological specimen collection, (3) a daily remote ecological momentary assessment for 14 days after each study visit, and (4) data from electronic health records. These forms of data collection continue to assess neighborhood and network factors and specifically explore substance use, sleep, immune function, obesity, and the implementation of potential interventions that address relevant constructs (eg, alcohol use and pre-exposure prophylaxis adherence). Results: The N2P2 study was funded in August 2021 by the National Institute of Drug Abuse (R01DA054553 and R21DA053156) and National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (R01HL160325). This study was launched in November 2022. Recruitment and enrollment for the first wave of data collection are currently ongoing. Conclusions: The N2P2 study is applying innovative methods to comprehensively explore the impacts of substance use and sleep health on HIV-related outcomes among an HIV status-neutral cohort of Black SMM and TW in Chicago. This study is applying an observational-implementation hybrid design to help us achieve findings that support rapid translation, a critical priority among populations such as Black SMM and TW that experience long-standing inequities with regard to HIV and other health-related outcomes. N2P2 will directly build off the findings that have resulted from the original N2 study among Black SMM and TW in Chicago. These findings provide a better understanding of multilevel (eg, individual, network, and neighborhood) factors that contribute to HIV-related outcomes and viral suppression among Black SMM and TW. International registered report identifier (irrid): DERR1-10.2196/48548.</p
What's PrEP?: Examining Factors Associated with PrEP Peer Navigator Acceptability among Black and Latinx MSM in Western Washington
Thesis (Master's)--University of Washington, 2019Background: HIV PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) is underutilized among Black and Latinx men who have sex with men (MSM). We aimed to estimate interest in peer navigation for PrEP services among minority MSM in Western Washington. Methods: HIV-negative participants aged ≥16 identifying as Black or Latinx MSM completed a REDCap survey in English or Spanish. Survey questions pertained to: demographics, insurance status, access to care, knowledge and attitudes towards PrEP, sexual stigma, mental health, HIV risk assessment, substance and medication use, attitudes towards peer navigation, and importance of peer attributes. Recruitment took place through community-based organizations, flyers, Facebook campaigns, and word of mouth. Factor analysis was used to derive a score for peer navigator interest, and linear regression was utilized to identify associations of participant attributes with this outcome. Results: Among 95 participants (32 Black, 63 Latinx), median age was 30 (IQR 26-40) years. 73% identified as gay, 20% as bisexual, and 5% as queer. Forty-eight percent were interested in peer navigation for PrEP services. In unadjusted regression, being insured (p=0.02), higher sexual stigma score (p=0.006), higher PHQ-9 score (p=0.01), and having a regular medical provider (p=0.002) were associated with higher interest scores; higher income was associated with lower interest (0.001). In adjusted regression, higher income was negatively associated with peer navigator interest (p=0.04). In limited, multivariable analysis, higher stigma score was associated with peer navigator acceptability. Of proposed peer attributes, the most highly rated was matching on sexual orientation (rated “important” or “very important” by 73% of participants), followed by age (50%) and culture (44%). Conclusion: Having insurance and a regular provider may influence men’s interest in peer navigation for PrEP services. Mental health training for peers could increase PrEP access, given greater interest among men with higher sexual stigma and depressive symptoms. Peer interventions for PrEP should match peers to clients on sexual orientation, age, and culture
Recommended from our members
National variability in Americans’ COVID-19 protective behaviors: Implications for vaccine roll-out
Protective behaviors such as mask wearing and physical distancing are critical to slow the spread of COVID-19, even in the context of vaccine scale-up. Understanding the variation in self-reported COVID-19 protective behaviors is critical to developing public health messaging. The purpose of the study is to provide nationally representative estimates of five self-reported COVID-19 protective behaviors and correlates of such behaviors. In this cross-sectional survey study of US adults, surveys were administered via internet and telephone. Adults were surveyed from April 30-May 4, 2020, a time of peaking COVID-19 incidence within the US. Participants were recruited from the probability-based AmeriSpeak® national panel. Brief surveys were completed by 994 adults, with 73.0% of respondents reported mask wearing, 82.7% reported physical distancing, 75.1% reported crowd avoidance, 89.8% reported increased hand-washing, and 7.7% reported having prior COVID-19 testing. Multivariate analysis (p critical value .05) indicates that women were more likely to report protective behaviors than men, as were those over age 60. Respondents who self-identified as having low incomes, histories of criminal justice involvement, and Republican Party affiliation, were less likely to report four protective behaviors, though Republicans and individuals with criminal justice histories were more likely to report having received COVID-19 testing. The majority of Americans engaged in COVID-19 protective behaviors, with low-income Americans, those with histories of criminal justice involvement, and self-identified Republicans less likely to engage in these preventive behaviors. Culturally competent public health messaging and interventions might focus on these latter groups to prevent future infections. These findings will remain highly relevant even with vaccines widely available, given the complementarities between vaccines and protective behaviors, as well as the many challenges in delivering vaccines.</p