Study Timeframe: 2022-2027
Principal Investigators:
Victoria Frye, DrPH (contact)
Keosha Bond, PhD
Dustin Duncan, ScD
Co-investigator(s):
Mark Paige
David Matthews
Project Summary
Few HIV testing and PEP/PrEP uptake interventions focus on reducing stigma/discrimination-related barriers to the prevention continuum via self-testing, empowerment, peer support, and community norms. To fill this gap, we propose to test an intervention composed of evidence-based and novel intervention components, designed by our study team, that operate at multiple levels and can be integrated into CBO-delivered HIV prevention programming to support HIV testing and PEP/PrEP uptake among gay, bisexual, same gender-loving and other Black and/or African-American men who have sex with men (MSM). We will estimate additive and interactive effects of the components, which include a single-session, peer-based HIV self-testing component, a three-session PEP/PrEP navigation enhancement component, and a social and print media anti-intersectional stigma campaign, using factorial and quasi-experimental designs. The primary outcomes are HIV testing (while not on PrEP/PEP) and PrEP uptake. Secondary outcomes include consistent HIV testing (2+ tests at least 3 months apart in 9 months); PEP uptake; PrEP/PEP adherence (self-report/medical record/urine test). To achieve the study aims, we will enroll 480 PrEP-eligible Black MSM (aged 18-55) living in the NYC area into the study and randomize them to one of four study arms and follow them over 18 months. Our study, which represents a collaboration between a community-based organization currently engaged in PEP/PrEP uptake programming and an academic research team, is designed to identify the added value of components that operate at different levels and are designed to increase individual-level HIV testing and biomedical HIV prevention use among a group highly vulnerable to HIV.
Publications
