Feasibility of a Limited Interaction Targeted Epidemiology of HIV Study in Sexual and Gender Minority American Adolescents and Adults: The Keeping it LITE Study (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Neil Gleason ◽  
Pedro Serrano ◽  
Alejandro Muñoz ◽  
Audrey French ◽  
Sybil Hosek
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Hiv Infection ◽  
Sexual Minority ◽  
Preventive Treatment ◽  
The United States ◽  
Hiv Care ◽  
Public Health Response ◽  
Sexual Minority Men ◽  
National Cohort ◽  
Minority Men

BACKGROUND HIV infection rates among sexual minority men and transgender individuals, particularly adolescents and young adults, remain elevated in the United States despite continued improvement in HIV public health response. However, there remains a knowledge gap in understanding what barriers this community faces in receiving HIV care and prevention resources. To address this, the Keeping it LITE study was conducted to assess HIV risk factors and barriers to preventive treatment in a large national cohort of young sexual minority men and transgender individuals at high risk of HIV infection. OBJECTIVE The objective of this formative research manuscript is to evaluate the feasibility of enrolling a large remote cohort, challenges encountered in recruitment, and adjustments made to address these challenges. METHODS A large national cohort (n=3444) of young sexual minority men and transgender individuals was recruited. Participants were recruited via advertisements on social media, LGBTQ+ apps, print advertising, and word of mouth. RESULTS The Keeping it LITE study was particularly successful in recruiting participants via social media, and was successful in recruiting a large sample of transgender youth, particularly transgender men and nonbinary individuals. At-home HIV testing was acceptable and even preferred by some participants, though several barriers were encountered and overcome in the implementation of this testing. The study had more limited success in recruiting 13-17-year-old participants due to lower enrollment rates and barriers to advertising on some social media platforms. Implications of these findings for future development of HIV research and intervention protocols among sexual minority and trans youth are discussed. CONCLUSIONS The methods utilized in the Keeping it LITE study, particularly recruitment via social media, were found to be feasible and acceptable to participants.

scholarly journals Post-Exposure Prophylaxis and Methamphetamine Use among Young Sexual Minority Men: The P18 Cohort Study

2022 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 712
Author(s):  
Elizabeth Kaplun ◽  
Richard J. Martino ◽  
Kristen D. Krause ◽  
Michael Briganti ◽  
Paul A. D’Avanzo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cohort Study ◽  
Hiv Infection ◽  
Sexual Minority ◽  
Post Exposure Prophylaxis ◽  
Sexual Minority Men ◽  
Methamphetamine Use ◽  
Post Exposure ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Minority Men ◽  
Exposure Prophylaxis

Methamphetamine use is associated with increased risk of HIV infection among young sexual minority men (SMM). Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is an effective strategy for individuals who are exposed to HIV, but there is limited research about PEP use among young SMM and its relationship with methamphetamine use. This study analyzes the association between ever PEP use and recent methamphetamine use among young SMM in New York City, using cross-sectional data from the P18 Cohort Study (n = 429). Multivariable logistic regression models were used to assess the association between methamphetamine use and ever PEP use. Compared with those who had not used methamphetamine in the last 6 months, young SMM who did use methamphetamine were significantly more likely to have ever used PEP (AOR = 6.07, 95% CI: 2.10–16.86). Young SMM who had ever used PrEP had 16 times higher odds of ever using PEP (AOR = 16, 95% CI: 7.41–35.95). Those who completed bachelor’s degrees were 61% less likely to have ever used PEP (AOR = 0.39, 95% CI: 0.17–0.88). These data suggest that methamphetamine use could increase the risk of HIV infection, highlighting the critical need to target interventions for young SMM who use methamphetamine and are more likely to engage in unprotected intercourse.

Missed Opportunities for HIV Prevention in Puerto Rico: An Argument for Inclusivity and Community Coalitions

2021 ◽  
pp. e1-e2
Author(s):  
Javier Lopez-Rios
Keyword(s):  
Puerto Rico ◽  
Sexual Minority ◽  
The United States ◽  
Growing Up ◽  
Populated Area ◽  
Missed Opportunities ◽  
Sexual Minority Men ◽  
The Third ◽  
Hiv Epidemic ◽  
Minority Men

Growing up as a gay cisgender man on the rural west coast of Puerto Rico, I was no stranger to the dearth of resources to manage my sexual health and navigate a patriarchal society that often ignored the needs of my community. Puerto Rico, a commonwealth territory, ranks as the third most densely populated area in the United States and has among the highest rates of HIV prevalence and incidence in the country. The HIV epidemic in Puerto Rico is largely concentrated among sexual minority men.1 (Am J Public Health. Published online ahead of print June 10, 2021: e1–e2. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2021.306342 )

scholarly journals Negotiating the Confluence: Middle-Eastern, Immigrant, Sexual-Minority Men and Concerns for Learning and Identity

2013 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew A. Eichler ◽  
Robert C Mizzi
Keyword(s):  
Adult Learners ◽  
Transformative Learning ◽  
Sexual Minority ◽  
Middle Eastern ◽  
The United States ◽  
Sexual Minority Men ◽  
Complex Needs ◽  
Unmet Expectations ◽  
Multiple Case ◽  
Minority Men

Sexual-minority male immigrants re-locating from the Middle East to the United States and Canada have particular experiences upon entry and integration into their new societies. The needs of learning and identity are highlighted through a multiple case approach involving three men. Interviews were conducted with the three participants, which were analyzed by the authors using qualitative case analysis. The data highlights the unmet expectations for life as a new immigrant, as well as the complexities of becoming involved in sexual-minority settings. Their learning experiences may be explained using a theoretical framework of transformative learning. These findings suggest that sexual-minority immigrants have complex needs, such as identifying with appropriate communities and deconstructing false representations of “gay rights” and citizenship in popular culture. Educational and social programs could address these needs when considering what might be important for immigrant adult learners.

scholarly journals Study protocol: a pilot randomised waitlist-controlled trial of a dyadic mobile health intervention for black sexual-minority male couples with HIV in the USA

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. e055448
Author(s):  
Hyunjin Cindy Kim ◽  
Lance M Pollack ◽  
Parya Saberi ◽  
Torsten B Neilands ◽  
Emily A Arnold ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Minority ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Hiv Care ◽  
Male Couples ◽  
Sexual Minority Men ◽  
Study Staff ◽  
Hiv Care Engagement ◽  
Minority Men ◽  
Primary Relationship ◽  
Racial Ethnic

IntroductionHIV care engagement is lower among black sexual-minority men relative to other racial/ethnic groups of sexual-minority men. Being in a primary relationship is generally associated with more successful HIV care engagement across various populations. However, among black sexual-minority men, the association between primary relationship status and HIV-related outcomes is inconsistent across the HIV care continuum. Given the ubiquity of mobile technology access and use among racial/ethnic minority communities, leveraging mobile technology for HIV care engagement appears a promising intervention strategy. This paper outlines the protocol of the LetSync study, a pilot randomised controlled trial of a mobile health app intervention developed using the Framework of Dyadic HIV Care Engagement to improve care-engagement outcomes among black sexual-minority male couples living with HIV.Methods and analysisEighty black sexual-minority men in couples (n=160) will be enrolled to pilot test the LetSync app. At least one member of each dyad must be both HIV-positive and self-identify as black/African-American. Couples will be randomised to either a waitlist-control arm or an intervention that uses relationship-based approach to improve HIV care engagement. We will assess feasibility and acceptability of trial procedures and intervention protocols based on predefined metrics of feasibility and acceptability. Execution of the study will yield the opportunity to conduct analyses to test the measurement and analysis protocol on antiretroviral therapy adherence by comparing the intervention and waitlist-control arms on self-reported and biological (hair sample) measures of adherence.Ethics and disseminationStudy staff will obtain electronic consent from all participants. This study has been approved by the University of California (UCSF) Institutional Review Board. Study staff will work with the Community Advisory Board at the UCSF Center for AIDS Prevention Studies Board to disseminate results to participants and the community via open discussions, presentations, journal publications and/or social media.Trial registration numberNCT04951544.

scholarly journals Examining inequities in rates of undiagnosed HIV and rectal STIs in a large nationwide cohort study of sexual minority men

2021 ◽  
pp. sextrans-2021-055047
Author(s):  
H Jonathon Rendina ◽  
Ali Talan ◽  
K Marie Sizemore ◽  
Nicola F Tavella ◽  
Brian Salfas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cohort Study ◽  
Hiv Infection ◽  
Ethnic Groups ◽  
Sexual Minority ◽  
Race And Ethnicity ◽  
Sexual Minority Men ◽  
Undiagnosed Hiv ◽  
Incarceration History ◽  
Minority Men ◽  
Black And Latino

ObjectiveSexual minority men (SMM) of colour are disproportionately impacted by HIV and bacterial STIs (bSTIs). To better understand within-group heterogeneity and differential risk factors by race and ethnicity, we sought to examine rates of undiagnosed HIV and rectal bSTI at the intersection of racial and ethnic identity with other sociodemographic factors.MethodsWe examined data from 8105 SMM conducting home-based self-testing at enrolment in a nationwide cohort study collected from November 2017 to August 2018. We conducted analyses stratified by racial and ethnic groups to examine within-group (ie, subgroup) unadjusted rates of HIV and rectal bSTI infection across a range of characteristics.ResultsRates of undiagnosed HIV were highest among Black (4.3%, n=39) and Latino (2.4%, n=38) SMM, with lower rates among those identified as multiracial (1.6%, n=15), white (1.3%, n=56) and other races (1.3%, n=6). Across the stratified analyses of HIV infection, 15 significant associations emerged showing that age, region, insurance type, sexual positioning and incarceration history had differential impacts across racial and ethnic groups. In particular, private and public insurance were protective against HIV for white but not Black and Latino SMM, and incarceration was associated with substantially higher rates of HIV infection for Black and Latino SMM relative to white SMM. We found significant co-occurrence of HIV and bSTI rates for participants who identified as Latino (OR=7.5, 95% CI 2.12 to 26.54), white (OR=3.19, 95% CI 1.14 to 8.98) and multiracial (OR=5.5, 95% CI 1.08 to 27.90), but not those who identified as Black (OR=0.82, 95% CI 0.10 to 6.56) or other races (OR=3.56 95% CI 0.31 to 40.80).ConclusionsStratified analyses showed differential rates of HIV infection at the intersection of racial and ethnic groups with other characteristics, particularly insurance status and incarceration history, pointing to structural inequities rather than individual behaviours underlying disproportionately high rates of HIV for Black and Latino SMM.

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