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Hickson DA, He Y, Odusanya A, Smith AE, Ogunbajo A, Smallwood SW. Psychometric Testing of the Daily Spiritual Experiences Scale (DSES) Among Black Gay, Bisexual, and Other Sexual Minority Men (SMM) and Black Transwomen in the Deep South: The MARI Study. JOURNAL OF RELIGION AND HEALTH 2022; 61:3507-3524. [PMID: 35147863 DOI: 10.1007/s10943-022-01516-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/22/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Spirituality is a well-established protective psychosocial determinant of health. The current study examined the psychometric properties of the Daily Spiritual Experiences Scale (DSES) among Black gay, bisexual and other sexual minority men (SMM) and Black transwomen (TW) in the Deep South. Data were collected via self-interview technology and analyzed using factor analyses and correlation coefficients. We demonstrated a single-factor structure of the DSES with high internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.96). DSES was positively and significantly associated with multiple dimensions of religion, resilience, optimism and social support and not significantly associated with cynicism and anger expressions. Spirituality should be included in HIV prevention, treatment and care strategies focused on Black SMM and Black TW, especially those residing in the Deep South, USA.
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Affiliation(s)
- DeMarc A Hickson
- Us Helping Us, People Into Living Inc., 3636 George Ave NW, Washington, DC, 20010, USA.
| | - Ying He
- Center for Research, Evaluation and Environmental and Policy Change, My Brother's Keeper, Inc., Jackson, MS, USA
| | - Anne Odusanya
- Department of Community Health Behavior and Education, Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA, USA
| | - Adam E Smith
- Department of Mathematics, Tougaloo College, Tougaloo, MS, USA
| | - Adedotun Ogunbajo
- Us Helping Us, People Into Living Inc., 3636 George Ave NW, Washington, DC, 20010, USA
| | - Stacy W Smallwood
- Department of Community Health Behavior and Education, Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA, USA
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Lee J, Aguirre J, Cardona J, Cruz Y, Munguía L, Vera CAL, Robles G. Culturally Tailored Social Media Content to Reach Latinx Immigrant Sexual Minority Men for HIV Prevention: Web-based Feasibility Study. JMIR Form Res 2022; 6:e36446. [PMID: 35182416 PMCID: PMC8968548 DOI: 10.2196/36446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2022] [Revised: 02/15/2022] [Accepted: 02/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Latinx gay, bisexual, and other sexual minority men (SMM) are disproportionately affected by HIV in the United States. As Latinx SMM, particularly those who are foreign-born, experience inequitable access to health services, tailored strategies to engage them for HIV prevention are urgently needed. OBJECTIVE Our study sought to address the need for enhanced access to HIV prevention among Latinx immigrant SMM. We developed and piloted a culturally sensitive, technology-based campaign focused on HIV testing and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) uptake. METHODS We utilized a two-phase approach to assess the feasibility of community-informed social media content in engaging Latinx immigrant SMM for HIV testing and PrEP use. First, we conducted three iterative focus groups with 15 Latinx immigrant SMM to refine the HIV prevention content to be piloted on social media platforms. The finalized content was placed on Instagram and Facebook for 9 days in July and September 2021 to individuals who were in Washington State. Individuals who clicked on the content were directed to a website with additional HIV prevention information. Second, we conducted online surveys (n=60) with website visitors that assessed sociodemographic characteristics, barriers to HIV prevention, and HIV-related transmission risk and prevention behaviors. We conducted descriptive analyses to examine the overall profile of survey respondents and determine the feasibility of culturally informed social media content in reaching Latinx immigrant SMM. RESULTS Overall, 739 unique users visited the website during the 9-day period when the social media content was posted on Instagram and Facebook. Our sample included 60 Latinx immigrant SMM who completed the online survey. Participants' mean age was 30.8 years and more than half (56.7%) completed the survey in Spanish. A quarter of participants indicated that they were unauthorized immigrants and 56.7% reported not having medical insurance. Participants reported, on average, having 6 different sexual partners in the last 6 months. Nearly a third of respondents had not tested for HIV in the last 6 months. Only about half (53.3%) of respondents had used PrEP in the last 12 months. CONCLUSIONS Community-driven social media and web-based strategies are feasible ways to engage Latinx immigrant SMM who may traditionally lack access to HIV prevention information and services due to structural and social barriers. Results highlight that culturally relevant social media and web-based outreach strategies that are informed and developed by the community can reach Latinx immigrant SMM for HIV prevention. Findings underscore the need to examine the effectiveness of social media content in promoting HIV testing and PrEP uptake in marginalized Latinx populations. CLINICALTRIAL
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Affiliation(s)
- Jane Lee
- University of Washington, 4101 15th Avenue NE, Seattle, US
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Duncan DT, Ransome Y, Park SH, Jackson SD, Kawachi I, Branas CC, Knox J, Al-Ajlouni YA, Mountcastle H, Miles CH, Hickson DA. Neighborhood social cohesion, religious participation and sexual risk behaviors among cisgender black sexual minority men in the southern United States. Soc Sci Med 2021; 279:113913. [PMID: 33991789 PMCID: PMC8336607 DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2021.113913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Revised: 02/09/2021] [Accepted: 04/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Few studies have examined associations between neighborhood social cohesion and sexual risk behaviors among gay, bisexual, and other sexual minority men (SMM), and none have among Black SMM in the southern U.S. The purpose of the current study is to examine associations between neighborhood social cohesion and sexual risk behaviors among Black SMM in the southern U.S., a population heavily impacted by HIV. We also examined whether these relationships are modified by religious participation for Black SMM in the southern U.S. METHODS Data was obtained from the MARI Study, a sample of Black SMM ages 18-66 years, recruited from the Jackson, MS and Atlanta, GA metropolitan areas (n = 354). Neighborhood social cohesion was assessed with a validated 5-item scale. We conducted multivariable regression analyses to examine the association between neighborhood social cohesion with each of the sexual risk behaviors (e.g., condomless sex and drug use before or during sex), controlling for key confounders. We then performed moderation analysis by religious participation (religious attendance and private religiosity). RESULTS Compared to Black SMM with higher perceived neighborhood social cohesion, Black SMM with lower neighborhood social cohesion had increased odds of alcohol use before or during sex (aPR = 1.56; 95% CI = 1.16-2.11) and condomless anal sex with casual partners (aPR = 1.55; 1.03-2.32). However, the magnitude of these associations varied by religious attendance and private religiosity. Black SMM with low religious service attendance had higher risk of alcohol use in the context of sex when perceived neighborhood social cohesion was low; those with high private religiosity had elevated alcohol use in the context of sex when perceived neighborhood social cohesion was low. DISCUSSION Interventions that target connectedness among neighborhood members through community education or mobilization efforts, including the involvement of religious organizations, should be considered for HIV prevention focused on alcohol and condomless sex among Black SMM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dustin T Duncan
- Department of Epidemiology, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Yusuf Ransome
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Su Hyun Park
- Department of Epidemiology, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York, NY, USA
| | - Skyler D Jackson
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Ichiro Kawachi
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Charles C Branas
- Department of Epidemiology, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York, NY, USA
| | - Justin Knox
- Department of Epidemiology, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York, NY, USA
| | - Yazan A Al-Ajlouni
- Department of Epidemiology, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York, NY, USA
| | - Hayden Mountcastle
- Department of Epidemiology, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York, NY, USA
| | - Caleb H Miles
- Department of Biostatistics, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York, NY, USA
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Vásquez E, Lee EE, Zhang W, Tu X, Moore DJ, Marquine MJ, Jeste DV. HIV and three dimensions of Wisdom: Association with cognitive function and physical and mental well-being: For: Psychiatry Research. Psychiatry Res 2020; 294:113510. [PMID: 33096437 PMCID: PMC7942181 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2020.113510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2020] [Accepted: 10/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Wisdom is a unique human personality trait with cognitive, affective or compassionate, and reflective dimensions. We evaluated relationships of three specific dimensions of wisdom with cognitive function and physical and mental well-being in people with HIV (PWH) and HIV-negative (HIV-) participants. Subjects included 138 adults (61 PWH, 77 HIV-) from the San Diego community. Validated measures were used to assess wisdom and well-being. Cognitive function was assessed via the Montreal Cognitive Assessment. We conducted multivariate linear regressions to evaluate the associations of wisdom dimensions with cognitive function and physical and mental well-being. Compared to the HIV- group, PWH had lower mean scores on cognitive function, and physical and mental well-being, and cognitive and reflective dimensions of wisdom, but similar scores on affective or compassionate wisdom. Among PWH, higher total wisdom scores were associated with older age, lower likelihood of substance dependence, greater mental well-being, better cognitive function, higher resilience, social support, and optimism scores, as well as lower levels of perceived stress and nadir CD4 count. Our findings of an association of different dimensions of wisdom with physical and/or mental well-being in PWH would point to a possibility that enhancing these dimensions of wisdom might improve health outcomes in PWH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth Vásquez
- School of Public Health, University at Albany State University of New York, New York, NY, United States
| | - Ellen E Lee
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States; Sam and Rose Stein Institute for Research on Aging, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States; Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA, United States
| | - Weihui Zhang
- School of Public Health, University at Albany State University of New York, New York, NY, United States
| | - Xin Tu
- Sam and Rose Stein Institute for Research on Aging, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States; Department of Family Medicine and Public Health, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - David J Moore
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States; Sam and Rose Stein Institute for Research on Aging, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - María J Marquine
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Dilip V Jeste
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States; Sam and Rose Stein Institute for Research on Aging, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States; Department of Neurosciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States.
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Grieb SM, Donovan E, White JJ, Miller D, Dangerfield DT. Increasing Opportunities for Spiritual and Religious Supports to Improve HIV-Related Outcomes for Black Sexual Minority Men. J Urban Health 2020; 97:704-714. [PMID: 32728845 PMCID: PMC7560667 DOI: 10.1007/s11524-020-00461-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Given the importance of spirituality and religion in the lives of many Black gay, bisexual, and other Black sexual minority men (SMM) and the need for additional resources to improve HIV outcomes within this population, research on how spiritual and religious support can promote HIV prevention and treatment among Black SMM is greatly needed. We conducted nine focus groups with 52 spiritual and religious Black SMM in Baltimore, Maryland, to explore opportunities for HIV-related programming that incorporates spiritual and/or religious supports. Thematic analysis of the focus group transcripts was conducted using an iterative constant comparison coding process. Participants expressed a desire for more spiritual/religious support in non-church-based settings and identified the use of peer supports, inclusion of prayer and gospel music, and messaging related to the ideas that God is love, the Bible says to treat yourself preciously, and taking care of your health can strengthen your relationship with God as ways in which this could be incorporated into HIV-related programming. Participants living with HIV identified the message of "keeping the faith" as important for maintaining their HIV treatment plans. Participants also expressed a need for parental supports to improve HIV-related outcomes for Black SMM and potentially expand opportunities for spiritual and religious support to Black SMM within the church. Spirituality and religion can influence HIV outcomes for Black SMM, and the strategies identified by Black SMM in this study could aid in designing culturally congruent HIV prevention and treatment programs situated in the community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suzanne M Grieb
- Center for Child and Community Health Research, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
| | | | - Jordan J White
- Department of Health, Behavior & Society, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
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Muslu Ü, Demir E. Investigation of the Relationship Between Anxiety Levels of Patients Before Plastic Surgery Operation and Worship Practices in Muslims. JOURNAL OF RELIGION AND HEALTH 2020; 59:535-543. [PMID: 31172393 DOI: 10.1007/s10943-019-00846-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
There is an increasing interest in the effects of preoperative anxiety on the course and outcomes of surgical treatments and also in the studies about the anxiety-decreasing interventions. The present study aims to identify the relationship between the preoperative anxiety level of the individuals prior to aesthetic surgery operations such as nose, ear, eyelid, and mammoplasty and religious rituals such as performing prayers, fasting, and going to pilgrimage. The frequency of performing the religious rituals was identified through a questionnaire. The questionnaire included questions about the religious rituals such as performing prayers, going to a pilgrimage, and fasting as well as questions about sociodemographic features such as gender, age, and education level of the patients. Preoperative anxiety level was measured using the "Anxiety Specific to Surgery Questionnaire." The nonparametric Mann-Whitney U test was used for the scale score comparisons of the two independent groups. The scale score comparisons of more than two groups were performed using the Kruskal-Wallis test. The relationships between age and scale scores were analyzed using the Spearman's correlation coefficient. The study involved 117 patients who were planned to undergo an aesthetic surgery operation. The scale scores were significantly different according to the pilgrimage groups (p = 0.004). The scale scores were significantly different according to the level of fasting (p = 0.022). No significant differences were found between the scales scores of the groups who reported the frequency of performing prayer as never, sometimes or five times (p = 0.515). In conclusion, the present study found that Muslim people who performed religious rituals more often experienced less preoperative anxiety levels in plastic surgeries, which indicates that the belief level is an effective factor in preoperative anxiety levels. The findings of the present study indicate that patients' beliefs and worship practices should be taken into consideration by doctors, operating room personnel, and even all health workers in order to decrease the anxiety levels of patients who will undergo surgery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ümran Muslu
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Hitit University, Çorum, Turkey.
| | - Emre Demir
- Department of Biostatistics, Faculty of Medicine, Hitit University, Çorum, Turkey
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Barnes SL, Hollingsworth C. Spirituality and Social Media: The Search for Support Among Black Men Who Have Sex With Men in Tennessee. JOURNAL OF HOMOSEXUALITY 2020; 67:79-103. [PMID: 30307800 DOI: 10.1080/00918369.2018.1525945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Young Black Men Who Have Sex With Men (BMSM) have been the subject of much research focused on health disparities in HIV occurrence, stigma, and mental health. Although such research is important, fewer studies focus on other equally salient areas of their lives such as spirituality, religious practices, and social support. Informed by literature on social support, this research endeavors to better understand these dynamics for a group of young BMSM who reside in a metropolitan city in Tennessee. Focus group results and content analysis uncover themes related to religion and resilience; queering Christianity; and virtual spirituality. Participants expressed an overarching need for support, safe spaces, genuine relationships, and godly instruction, conveyed through traditional Black Church involvement and nontraditional Internet usage. Findings are important for strategic, proactive, cross-generational collaboration with young BMSM to holistically meet their varied needs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra L Barnes
- Department of Human and Organizational Development, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Charrise Hollingsworth
- Department of Human and Organizational Development, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
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