Quantitative evaluation on the challenges and opportunities in the recruitment of young Black men who have sex with men for sexual health research in the southern US

Sexual Health ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 87
Author(s):  
C. Kelsie Dodson ◽  
D'Netria Jackson ◽  
Christina A. Muzny ◽  
Ellen F. Eaton
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Sexual Health ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Black Men ◽  
Health Research ◽  
Phase 1 ◽  
Recruitment Strategy ◽  
Phase 2 ◽  
Electronic Survey ◽  
Sex With Men

Background Young Black men who have sex with men (YBMSM) in the Deep South are at increased risk of sexually transmissible infections (STIs) and HIV. The present two-phase study evaluated the recruitment of YBMSM, both HIV infected and uninfected, for a sexual health study in Birmingham (AL, USA) from 2017 to 2019 and explored alternative patient-centred recruitment methods. Methods: In Phase 1, YBMSM were recruited to participate in focus groups related to STI testing. To recruit participants, flyers were displayed in businesses, clinics and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT)-friendly organisations. In addition, research staff at an HIV clinic referred participants and a recruiter attended community events. In Phase 2, YB men were asked, in an electronic survey, ‘What is the best way to recruit young, Black men for surveys about sexual health?’ and ‘If you selected ‘social media’, which social media sites or ‘apps’ do you think are best to recruit young, Black men?’. Results: In Phase 1, 38 YBMSM participated in focus groups. Twelve (32%) were recruited by referral, 9 (24%) were recruited from an HIV clinic and 11 (29%) were recruited from an LGBT organisation. The recruiter was unable to recruit any participants. In Phase 2, 55 YBMSM completed the electronic survey. Twenty-six (48%) selected social media as the best way to recruit young Black men for surveys about sexual health, and their suggested platforms included Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, Kik and dating apps. Seventeen (31%) selected ‘Having young gay black men recruit from their friends and acquaintances’ as the ideal recruitment strategy. Conclusion: Challenges persist when recruiting YBMSM for sexual health research. Social media may provide better access to this vulnerable population.

scholarly journals Sexual Health Research With Young Black Men Who Have Sex With Men: Experiences of Benefits and Harms

2016 ◽  
Vol 46 (4) ◽  
pp. 937-946 ◽  
Author(s):  
Renata Arrington-Sanders ◽  
Anthony Morgan ◽  
Jessica Oidtman ◽  
Ann Dao ◽  
Margaret Moon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Health ◽  
Black Men ◽  
Health Research ◽  
Sex With Men

scholarly journals Clinic-Based Delivery of the Young Men’s Health Project (YMHP) Targeting HIV Risk Reduction and Substance Use Among Young Men Who Have Sex with Men: Protocol for a Type 2, Hybrid Implementation-Effectiveness Trial (Preprint)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeffrey T Parsons ◽  
Tyrel Starks ◽  
Sitaji Gurung ◽  
Demetria Cain ◽  
Jonathan Marmo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
At Risk ◽  
Substance Use ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Real World ◽  
Phase 1 ◽  
Young Men ◽  
Phase 2 ◽  
Health Project ◽  
Sex With Men

BACKGROUND Young men who have sex with men (YMSM) are disproportionately at risk for HIV and sexually transmitted infections. Adapting and testing the effectiveness of the Young Men’s Health Project (YMHP), an efficacious intervention designed to reduce substance use and condomless anal sex (CAS) among YMSM, at clinics in Miami, Detroit, and Philadelphia has the potential to reduce HIV and STI disparities among urban YMSM. OBJECTIVE This study (Adolescent Medicine Trials Network for HIV/AIDS Interventions [ATN] 145 YMHP) aims to adapt YMHP for clinic and remote delivery by existing clinic staff and compare their effectiveness in real-world adolescent HIV clinics. This protocol is part of the ATN Scale It Up program described in a recently published article by Naar et al. METHODS This is a comparative effectiveness hybrid type-2 trial of the YMHP intervention with 2 delivery formats—clinic-based versus remote delivery—offered following HIV counseling and testing. Phase 1 includes conducting focus groups with youth to obtain implementation feedback about the delivery of the YMHP intervention and intervention components to ensure culturally competent, feasible, and scalable implementation. Phase 2 includes recruitment and enrollment of 270 YMSM, aged 15 to 24 years, 90 at each of the 3 sites. Enrollment will be limited to HIV-negative YMSM who report recent substance use and either CAS or a positive STI test result. Participants will be randomized to receive the YMHP intervention either in person or by remote delivery. Both conditions involve completion of the 4 YMHP sessions and the delivery of pre-exposure prophylaxis information and navigation services. A minimum of 2 community health workers (CHWs) will be trained to deliver the intervention sessions at each site. Sessions will be audio-recorded for Motivational Interviewing Treatment Integrity (MITI) fidelity coding, and CHWs and supervisors will be given implementation support throughout the study period. RESULTS Phase 1 focus groups were completed in July 2017 (n=25). Feedback from these focus groups at the 3 sites informed adaptations to the YMHP intervention manual, implementation of the intervention, and recruitment plans for phase 2. Baseline enrollment for phase 2 began in November 2018, and assessments will be at immediate posttest (IP)-, 3-, 6-, 9-, and 12-months after the intervention. Upon collection of both baseline and follow-up data, we will compare the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of clinic-based versus remote delivery of YMHP in the context of health care access. CONCLUSIONS We are conducting YMHP in 3 cities with high rates of YMSM at risk for HIV and STIs. When adapted for real-world clinics, this study will help substance-using YMSM at risk for HIV and STIs and allow us to examine differences in effectiveness and cost by the method of delivery. CLINICALTRIAL ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03488914; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03488914 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/770WaWWfi) INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPOR DERR1-10.2196/11184

Sexual Health Communication of Black Men Who Have Sex With Men Who Met On or Offline: A Secondary Data Analysis (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacob D Gordon ◽  
Andre L Brown ◽  
Darren L Whitfield
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Health ◽  
Health Communication ◽  
Black Men ◽  
Sexual Partner ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Sexual Partners ◽  
Hiv Status ◽  
Sexual Health Communication ◽  
Sex With Men ◽  
Traditional Masculinity

BACKGROUND Black men who have sex with men (BMSM) continue to experience disproportionate rates of HIV/STI infection despite advances in effective prevention tools. Over the last decade the method of finding sexual partners has evolved, with BMSM increasingly using geospatial dating applications to find sexual partners. Sexual health communication between partners has been associated with safer sex practices by previous scholars, but it is unclear how sexual health communication of BMSM differs for sex partners found on or offline. OBJECTIVE The current study explored sexual health communication in relationship to how one found their last sexual partner and factors associated with poorer sexual health communication. METHODS This study used secondary data in the form of a self-administered national survey. BMSM were recruited online and in-person and answered questions about their sexual health behaviors regarding their last sexual partner. RESULTS In total, 403 individuals were included in the analysis. The majority of respondents 55.8% (225/403) were more likely to have found their last sexual partner through geospatial dating applications and online websites than offline venues 44.3% (178/225). There was not a significant difference in scores of sexual health communication between those who found their last sexual partner on or offline (P=.49). Additionally, sexual health communication was also not significantly associated (P = .25) based on the venue of their last sexual partner after controlling for covariates. Significant predictors of lower sexual health communication of BMSM were found: positive HIV status (P = .003), a casual partner type (P < .001), and endorsement of traditional masculinity ideologies (P = .01). CONCLUSIONS Findings from this study confirm high rates of sexual partner seeking via online venues among BMSM. The significant predictors of lower sexual health communication, endorsement of traditional masculinity ideologies and positive HIV status, suggest that stigma is a barrier to effective sexual health communication of BMSM.

scholarly journals Exploring sexual health among young Black men who have sex with men in New York City

2016 ◽  
Vol 31 (3) ◽  
pp. 295-313 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. J. Martos ◽  
P. Valera ◽  
W. O. Bockting ◽  
P. A. Wilson
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
New York City ◽  
Sexual Health ◽  
Black Men ◽  
York City ◽  
Sex With Men

Female Genital Mutilation/ Cutting Education for Midwives and Nurses as Informed by Women’s Experiences: An Exploratory Sequential Mixed-Method Research Protocol. (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Monica Pilar Diaz ◽  
Mary Steen ◽  
Angela Brown ◽  
Julie Fleet ◽  
Jan Williams
Keyword(s):  
Health Services ◽  
Sexual Health ◽  
Mixed Method ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Female Genital Mutilation ◽  
Phase 1 ◽  
South Australia ◽  
Phase 2 ◽  
Genital Mutilation ◽  
Female Genital

BACKGROUND Female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) is a complex and deeply rooted sociocultural custom that is innately entrenched in the lives of those that continue its practice despite the physical and psychological dangers it perpetrates. Female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) is considered a significant independent risk factor for adverse maternal and fetal outcomes in pregnancy and childbirth. Several studies in high income countries (HIC) have explored the experiences and needs of women with FGM/C, and the knowledge the health professionals, in particular midwives and nurses, that care for them. However, to date, no studies have evaluated the implementation of education for health professionals in HIC to meet the specific needs of women with FGM/C. OBJECTIVE To explore the impact of an FGM/C education program for midwives and nurses as informed by the experiences of women with FGM/C accessing maternity, gynaecological and sexual health services in South Australia. METHODS This study will adopt a three-phase exploratory sequential mixed method design. Phase 1 ‘Exploration’ of women with FGM/C views and experiences accessing maternity and gynaecological (including sexual health) services in South Australia. The findings from phase 1 will inform phase 2: ‘Development’ of an educational program for midwives and nurses on health and cultural needs of women with FGM/C. Phase 3: ‘Evaluation’ of the program, by measuring midwives’ and nurses’ changes in knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of, immediately pre-and-post-test, and four months after completing the program. Phase 1 of this study has been approved by the Women’s and Children’s Health Network (WCHN) Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) (ID number 2021/HRE00156). RESULTS Phase 1 will commence in August 2021 with interpretation of findings undertaken by November 2021. Phase 2 will be developed and facilitated by February 2022 and the final phase of this study will begin in March 2022. This study is expected to be completed by February 2023. CONCLUSIONS The findings of this research will provide insight into the development and evaluation of education programs for midwives and nurses that includes collaboration with women from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds to address the specific cultural and health needs of communities.

Hiring the Best Job Applicants?

2021 ◽  
pp. 1700-1719
Author(s):  
Anthony Lewis ◽  
Brychan Celfyn Thomas
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Human Resources ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Job Applicants ◽  
Recruitment Strategy ◽  
Recruitment Strategies ◽  
Hr Management ◽  
Professional Perspective ◽  
Online Recruitment ◽  
Management Professionals

Human resources (HR) management professionals have been using different methods of social media (SM) in their recruitment strategies with varying degrees of success. Through examining SM and its effect, this can support the development of a more effective HR recruitment strategy. This research investigates effects and issues associated with SM and recruitment and whether SM is effective as an innovative e-entrepreneurship method of hiring the best job applicants for enterprises. Professionals, recruiters, and employees were questioned on their views of SM from a personal and professional perspective through a variety of methods including focus groups and questionnaires. It is argued that the advantages of using SM for online recruitment include increased efficiency and convenience for both potential employees and enterprises, whereas where the systems are not designed correctly, it can create increased difficulties for the enterprises in communicating with potential employees. A framework is provided that can be used by enterprises in order to create their own SM recruitment cycle.

A text-message intervention for adolescents with depression and their parent/caregiver to overcome cognitive barriers to mental health treatment initiation: Focus groups and a pilot trial (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian Suffoletto ◽  
Tina Goldstein ◽  
David Brent
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Mental Health Treatment ◽  
Phase 1 ◽  
Pilot Trial ◽  
Text Message ◽  
Phase 2 ◽  
Test Engagement ◽  
Text Message Intervention

BACKGROUND Many adolescents with depression do not pursue mental health (MH) treatment following referral by a heathcare provider. We developed a theory-based automated text message intervention (Text to Connect, T2C) that attempts to reduce cognitive barriers to initiation of MH care. OBJECTIVE In this 2-phase study, we sought to first understand potential for T2C and then test engagement, usability, and potential efficacy of T2C among adolescents with depression and their parent/caregiver. METHODS In phase 1, we conducted focus groups with adolescents with depression (n=9) and their parent/caregiver (n=9) separately and transcripts were examined for themes. In phase 2, we conducted an open trial of T2C with adolescents with depression referred to MH care (n=43) and their parent/caregiver (n=28). We assessed usability by examining program engagement, usability ratings and qualitative feedback at 4-weeks follow-up. We assessed potential effectiveness by examining change in perceived barriers to treatment and MH care initiation from baseline to 4-weeks. RESULTS In phase 1, we found that themes supported the T2C approach. In phase 2, we found high engagement with daily negative affect check-ins, high usability ratings, and self-reported decreases in barriers to MH treatment over time among adolescents. At 4-weeks follow-up, most adolescents reported either having initiated MH care (52%) or pending scheduling (15%), leaving only 15% of adolescents still not interested in MH care. CONCLUSIONS Findings from this study suggest that T2C is acceptable to adolescents with depression and most parent/caregivers, is used at high rates, and may be helpful to reduce cognitive barriers to MH care initiation. CLINICALTRIAL NCT04560075

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