1
|
Coats CS, Goedel WC, Sims-Gomillia CE, Arnold TL, Wrenn-Jones I, Buck B, Chan PA, Mena LA, Nunn AS. "Make it more than a pill, make it an experience of health:" results from an open pilot intervention to retain young African American men who have sex with men in PrEP care. AIDS Care 2024; 36:472-481. [PMID: 37331017 PMCID: PMC10773530 DOI: 10.1080/09540121.2023.2221422] [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] [Received: 12/03/2021] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/20/2023]
Abstract
Uptake and retention in clinical care for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is suboptimal, particularly among young African American men who have sex with men (MSM) in the Deep South. We conducted a two-phase study to develop and implement an intervention to increase PrEP persistence. In Phase I, we conducted focus groups with 27 young African American MSM taking PrEP at a community health center in Jackson, Mississippi to elicit recommendations for the PrEP persistence intervention. We developed an intervention based on recommendations in Phase I, and in Phase II, ten participants were enrolled in an open pilot. Eight participants completed Phase II study activities, including a single intervention session, phone call check-ins, and four assessments (Months 0, 1, 3, and 6). Exit interviews demonstrated a high level of acceptability and satisfaction with the intervention. These formative data demonstrate the initial promise of a novel intervention to improve PrEP persistence among young African American MSM.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cassandra Sutten Coats
- Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences, School of Public Health, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island
| | - William C. Goedel
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island
| | - Courtney E. Sims-Gomillia
- Department of Population Health Science, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, Mississippi
| | - Trisha L. Arnold
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island
| | - Isa Wrenn-Jones
- Department of Population Health Science, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, Mississippi
| | - Byron Buck
- Department of Population Health Science, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, Mississippi
| | - Philip A. Chan
- Department of Medicine, Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island
| | - Leandro A. Mena
- Department of Population Health Science, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, Mississippi
| | - Amy S. Nunn
- Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences, School of Public Health, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Maragh-Bass AC, Williams T, Agarwal H, Dulin AK, Sales J, Mayer KH, Siegler AJ. Exploring Stigma, Resilience, and Alternative HIV Preventive Service Delivery Among Young Men who Have Sex with Men of Color. Clin Nurs Res 2023; 32:1046-1056. [PMID: 37401801 DOI: 10.1177/10547738231184295] [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] [Indexed: 07/05/2023]
Abstract
Stigmatization on the basis of race, sexuality, gender identity, and/or use of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) exacerbates HIV disparities for young men who have sex with men of color (YMSM). We explored resilience, healthcare experiences, stigma, and impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on PrEP care needs among YMSM of color through virtual in-depth interviews. Analyses used adapted grounded theory/constant comparison. Regarding healthcare-based stigma, participants enacted multilevel resilience which was critical to their care retention during COVID-19 (Themes 1 and 2). Some participants noted that remote care could minimize healthcare stigma and promote retention in care and/or on PrEP (Theme 3). Participants were interested in long-acting injectable (LAI) PrEP but expressed concerns about cost, effectiveness, and side effects (Theme 4). Community-based venues like pharmacies were preferred spaces for getting LAI PrEP injections (Theme 4). Although expansion of telehealth that helped mitigate care retention challenges during COVID-19 was temporary, continued telehealth use may reduce stigmatization and promote long-term retention and PrEP persistence.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Allysha C Maragh-Bass
- Behavioral, Epidemiological, Clinical Sciences Division, FHI 360, Durham, NC, USA
- Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Tia Williams
- Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Harsh Agarwal
- Behavioral, Epidemiological, Clinical Sciences Division, FHI 360, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Akilah K Dulin
- Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Jessica Sales
- Department of Behavioral, Social, and Health Education Sciences (BSHES), Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Kenneth H Mayer
- The Fenway Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center/Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Aaron J Siegler
- Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Fields EL, Hussen SA, Malebranche DJ. Mind the Gap: HIV Prevention Among Young Black Men Who Have Sex with Men. Curr HIV/AIDS Rep 2021; 17:632-642. [PMID: 32914329 PMCID: PMC7483045 DOI: 10.1007/s11904-020-00532-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Young Black men who have sex with men (YBMSM) suffer profound health inequities in new HIV diagnoses and clinical outcomes. While the evolution of HIV prevention options has become increasingly biomedical, inequities in access and uptake of these modalities persist. RECENT FINDINGS Studies suggest that while YBMSM display interest and acceptability of varied HIV prevention options, uptake lags due to the lingering effects of intersectional oppression from racism and sexual prejudice, HIV stigma, institutional and provider bias, and unresolved health policy barriers. Promising avenues to address these barriers have yet to be fully explored. We have the tools to effectively prevent HIV transmission and acquisition among YBMSM, but we have not yet effectively implemented these tools for this priority population. To end the epidemic, we must tailor and adapt HIV prevention strategies to meet the unique intersecting needs, identities, and social contexts of YBMSM.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Errol L Fields
- Division of Adolescent/Young Adult Medicine, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, 200 North Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA
| | - Sophia A Hussen
- Hubert Department of Global Health, Emory University Rollins School of Public Health, 1518 Clifton Road NE, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - David J Malebranche
- Department of General Medicine, Morehouse School of Medicine, 720 Westview Drive, Atlanta, GA, 30310, USA.
| |
Collapse
|