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Harkness A, Rogers BG, Mayo D, Smith-Alvarez R, Pachankis JE, Safren SA. A Relational Framework for Engaging Latino Sexual Minority Men in Sexual and Behavioral Health Research. ARCHIVES OF SEXUAL BEHAVIOR 2022; 51:2399-2412. [PMID: 35763160 PMCID: PMC9549688 DOI: 10.1007/s10508-021-02237-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2020] [Revised: 11/12/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Latino sexual minority men (LSMM) experience sexual and behavioral health disparities. Yet, LSMM are underrepresented in sexual and behavioral health research, creating scientific inequity. There is, therefore, a need to identify the barriers and facilitators to LSMM's participation in sexual and behavioral health research, which is the gap that the current study sought to fill. We interviewed LSMM (n = 28; age 18-40, 57% US born) and key informants (n = 10) regarding LSMM's barriers and facilitators to participating in sexual and behavioral health research and suggestions for increasing participation. The research team coded the data via thematic analysis. We found that relational factors are central to understanding LSMM's participation in sexual and behavioral health research. Some relational experiences (e.g., interpersonal stigma) interfered with participation, whereas others (e.g., altruistic desires to contribute to community well-being) facilitated participation. The findings are consolidated within a new relational framework for understanding LSMM's participation in sexual and behavioral health research. Study findings highlight the centrality of relational factors in influencing LSMM's participation in sexual and behavioral health research. Relational factors can be used to inform the development of culturally relevant recruitment strategies to improve representation of LSMM in sexual and behavioral health research. Implementing these recommendations may address scientific inequity, whereby LSMM are disproportionately impacted by sexual and behavioral health concerns yet underrepresented in related research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Audrey Harkness
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Clinical Research Center, University of Miami, 1120 NW14th Street, Suite 1013, Miami, FL, 33136, USA.
| | - Brooke G Rogers
- Department of Medicine, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
- Department of Medicine, Infectious Diseases, The Miriam Hospital, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Daniel Mayo
- Department of Psychology, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, USA
| | | | | | - Steven A Safren
- Department of Psychology, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, USA
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Gómez W, Holloway IW, Pantalone DW, Grov C. PrEP uptake as a social movement among gay and bisexual men. CULTURE, HEALTH & SEXUALITY 2022; 24:241-253. [PMID: 33118858 PMCID: PMC8081761 DOI: 10.1080/13691058.2020.1831075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2019] [Accepted: 09/28/2020] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Despite PrEP's effectiveness as an HIV prevention intervention, uptake among gay and bisexual men remains low. Historical involvement in AIDS activism may reveal important ways of mobilising gay and bisexual men to increase PrEP uptake. Data come from a qualitative study to understand New York City gay and bisexual men's experiences with PrEP. Informed by a constructivist grounded theory approach, we assessed ways in which gay and bisexual men's relational experiences concerning PrEP were congruent with features of past AIDS activism. Participants' mean age was 32.5 years, half were men of colour, and over half had been taking PrEP for less than one year. Analysis revealed three primary themes related to AIDS activism strategies: (1) framing, which referenced how participants referred to PrEP as an empowering, liberatory and community-building intervention (2) reactions, which encompassed positive to negative expressions about PrEP and sex; and (3) innovation, which conveyed ways that participants engaged in processes of transferring lay knowledge about PrEP through leadership roles across social and digital encounters. Findings suggest that the ways in which gay and bisexual men communicate about PrEP with peers are consistent with features of AIDS activism. Deploying lay knowledge using framing strategies through peer-based intervention could expand PrEP uptake. However, elements of PrEP stigma must be addressed to engage with the wide-ranging HIV prevention needs of gay and bisexual men.
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Affiliation(s)
- Walter Gómez
- School of Social Welfare, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Ian W. Holloway
- Luskin School of Public Affairs, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - David W. Pantalone
- College of Liberal Arts, University of Massachusetts, Boston, MA, USA
- The Fenway Institute, Fenway Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Christian Grov
- City University of New York, Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy, New York, NY, USA
- City University of New York, Institute for Implementation Science in Population Health, New York, NY, USA
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Asquith A, Sava L, Harris AB, Radix AE, Pardee DJ, Reisner SL. Patient-centered practices for engaging transgender and gender diverse patients in clinical research studies. BMC Med Res Methodol 2021; 21:202. [PMID: 34598674 PMCID: PMC8487157 DOI: 10.1186/s12874-021-01328-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2021] [Accepted: 05/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The purpose of this formative study was to assess barriers and facilitators to participation of transgender and gender diverse (TGD) patients in clinical research to solicit specific feedback on perceived acceptability and feasibility of research methods to inform creation of a multisite longitudinal cohort of primary care patients engaged in care at two community health centers. METHOD Between September-November 2018, four focus groups (FGs) were convened at two community health centers in Boston, MA and New York, NY (N = 28 participants across all 4 groups; 11 in Boston and 17 in New York). FG guides asked about patient outreach, acceptability of study methods and measures, and ideas for study retention. FGs were facilitated by TGD study staff, lasted approximately 90 min in duration, were audio recorded, and then transcribed verbatim by a professional transcription service. Thematic analyses were conducted by two independent analysts applying a constant comparison method. Consistency and consensus were achieved across code creation and application aided by Dedoose software. RESULTS Participants were a mean age of 33.9 years (SD 12.3; Range 18-66). Participants varied in gender identity with 4 (14.3%) men, 3 (10.7%) women, 8 (28.6%) transgender men, 10 (35.7%) transgender women, and 3 (10.7%) nonbinary. Eight (26.6%) were Latinx, 5 (17.9%) Black, 3 (10.7%) Asian, 3 (10.7%) another race, and 5 (17.9%) multiracial. Motivators and facilitators to participation were: research creating community, research led by TGD staff, compensation, research integrated into healthcare, research applicable to TGD and non-TGD people, and research helping TGD communities. Barriers were: being research/healthcare averse, not identifying as TGD, overlooking questioning individuals, research coming from a 'cisgender lens", distrust of how the research will be used, research not being accessible to TGD people, and research being exploitative. CONCLUSION Though similarities emerged between the perspectives of TGD people and research citing perspectives of other underserved populations, there are barriers and facilitators to research which are unique to TGD populations. It is important for TGD people to be involved as collaborators in all aspects of research that concerns them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Asquith
- The Fenway Institute, Fenway Health, 1340 Boylston Street, 8th Floor, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Lauren Sava
- The Fenway Institute, Fenway Health, 1340 Boylston Street, 8th Floor, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | | | - Asa E Radix
- Callen-Lorde Community Health Center, New York City, NY, USA
| | - Dana J Pardee
- The Fenway Institute, Fenway Health, 1340 Boylston Street, 8th Floor, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Sari L Reisner
- The Fenway Institute, Fenway Health, 1340 Boylston Street, 8th Floor, Boston, MA, 02215, USA. .,Division of Endocrinology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Diabetes & Hypertension, Boston, MA, USA. .,Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA. .,Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA.
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D'Angelo AB, Lopez-Rios J, Flynn AWP, Holloway IW, Pantalone DW, Grov C. Insurance- and medical provider-related barriers and facilitators to staying on PrEP: results from a qualitative study. Transl Behav Med 2021; 11:573-581. [PMID: 32065637 DOI: 10.1093/tbm/ibz191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is a highly effective biobehavioral strategy for preventing HIV acquisition. Although PrEP uptake has increased steadily, discontinuation rates are high among members of key populations like gay and bisexual men (GBM). Understanding the challenges that arise for PrEP users is key to better PrEP implementation and sustained use over time. We report on barriers that arose for PrEP-using GBM, as well as facilitating factors that aided PrEP persistence, with the goal of informing PrEP implementation efforts. In 2015-2016, 103 PrEP-using GBM in NYC completed qualitative interviews about their engagement with PrEP, including their experiences navigating PrEP-related medical care. Interviews were transcribed verbatim, coded, and analyzed thematically. Over half of participants (53%) received their PrEP-related care from their primary care provider (PCP), one-third (33%) from a community-based health clinic, and 13% from multiple medical providers. Emergent themes regarding the barriers and facilitators to PrEP persistence fell into two categories: insurance- and medical appointment-related barriers and facilitators to continued PrEP use. The experiences of PrEP-using GBM can provide useful insights for providers, program developers, and policymakers aiming to improve the implementation of PrEP. To support PrEP persistence, reliable insurance coverage, cost-assistance, and easy appointment scheduling are key to maintenance. Removing insurance- and appointment-related barriers to persistence may prove essential for sustaining use among GBM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexa B D'Angelo
- Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy, City University of New York, New York, NY.,Institute for Implementation Science in Population Health, City University of New York, New York, NY
| | - Javier Lopez-Rios
- Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy, City University of New York, New York, NY
| | - Anthony W P Flynn
- Department of Counseling Psychology, University of Wisconsin - Madison, Madison, WI
| | - Ian W Holloway
- Department of Social Welfare, University of California, Los Angeles, CA
| | - David W Pantalone
- The Fenway Institute, Fenway Health, Boston, MA.,Department of Psychology, University of Massachusetts - Boston, Boston, MA
| | - Christian Grov
- Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy, City University of New York, New York, NY.,Institute for Implementation Science in Population Health, City University of New York, New York, NY
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Edeza A, Karina Santamaria E, Valente PK, Gomez A, Ogunbajo A, Biello K. Experienced barriers to adherence to pre-exposure prophylaxis for HIV prevention among MSM: a systematic review and meta-ethnography of qualitative studies. AIDS Care 2020; 33:697-705. [PMID: 32530302 DOI: 10.1080/09540121.2020.1778628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Men who have sex with men (MSM) in the United States are at disproportionate risk for HIV. Once-daily pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV prevention is a highly effective method of preventing HIV infection; however, optimal adherence is necessary to maintain effectiveness. Many studies have profiled perceived barriers to adherence among at-risk MSM; however, nearly a decade after FDA approval, there has been little work examining experienced barriers to adherence among MSM who have previously used the medication. To assess the current state of this literature and its implications for behavioral interventions, we conducted a meta-ethnography (i.e., A systematic review and synthesis of qualitative studies) of experiences with PrEP use among cis-gender MSM in the United States. We found that structural-level interventions, such as telehealth and pharmacist-prescribed approaches to PrEP distribution, may circumvent barriers to uptake and adherence for some MSM, but may not be enough for already underserved communities, such as MSM of color. Furthermore, interpersonal-level factors, such as enacted PrEP stigma by providers and peers, highlight the necessary consideration of social identity in the branding of PrEP for HIV prevention. Tailored interventions should consider experienced barriers to PrEP adherence across socioecological levels to be most effective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alberto Edeza
- Department of Social and Behavioral Health Sciences, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, USA
| | - E Karina Santamaria
- Department of Social and Behavioral Health Sciences, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Pablo Kokay Valente
- Department of Social and Behavioral Health Sciences, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Ashley Gomez
- Department of Social and Behavioral Health Sciences, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Adedotun Ogunbajo
- Department of Social and Behavioral Health Sciences, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Katie Biello
- Department of Social and Behavioral Health Sciences, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, USA.,Center for Health Promotion and Health Equity, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, USA.,Department of Epidemiology, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, USA.,Fenway Health, The Fenway Institute, Boston, MA, USA
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Grov C, Westmoreland D, Rendina HJ, Nash D. Seeing Is Believing? Unique Capabilities of Internet-Only Studies as a Tool for Implementation Research on HIV Prevention for Men Who Have Sex With Men: A Review of Studies and Methodological Considerations. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr 2019; 82 Suppl 3:S253-S260. [PMID: 31764261 PMCID: PMC6880799 DOI: 10.1097/qai.0000000000002217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In 2014, Grov et al published a comprehensive review cataloguing both men who have sex with men's (MSM's) sexual behavior transitions in online environments from the 1990s through 2013, as well as researchers' efforts in tandem to use the internet to engage MSM into research, treatment, and prevention. METHODS In this article, we discuss historical events and research having occurred in the half decade since the Grov et al publication. RESULTS Notable transitions include MSM's expanded use of geosocial networking apps, as well as other forms of social media accessed primarily through mobile devices, as well as the addition of biomedical prevention strategies (eg, pre-exposure prophylaxis and undetectable = untransmittable) to the proverbial HIV prevention toolkit. In tandem, researchers have rapidly expanded their employment of internet-mediated methods for the recruitment and engagement of key populations for HIV research, treatment, and prevention. In this article, we discuss methodological considerations for using the internet to conduct HIV prevention research with MSM: (1) sources of recruitment (eg, geosocial apps, Facebook, crowdsourced online panels); (2) design (eg, cross sectional, longitudinal, diaries); (3) incentives (including disincentivizing fraudulent participants and/or spam bots); (4) confidentiality; and (5) representativeness. CONCLUSION We conclude by discussing future directions in HIV prevention research in light of forthcoming technologies such as fifth generation (5G) mobile networks, combined use of self-collected biological data alongside self-report, and the utility of metadata and metaresearch to document, evaluate, and inform best practices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Grov
- CUNY Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy, New York, NY
- CUNY Institute for Implementation Science in Population Health, New York, NY
| | - Drew Westmoreland
- CUNY Institute for Implementation Science in Population Health, New York, NY
| | | | - Denis Nash
- CUNY Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy, New York, NY
- CUNY Institute for Implementation Science in Population Health, New York, NY
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