Work

Baseline Characteristics from PrEP Chicago: A Randomized Controlled Diffusion-Based Network Intervention for HIV Prevention Among Young Black Men Who Have Sex With Men

Year: 2017

Type: article

Abstract: Several studies have documented low knowledge, uptake and retention of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP)—a biomedical intervention for HIV prevention—among young black MSM (YBMSM). PrEP Chicago is a randomized controlled peer change intervention designed to promote uptake of PrEP among YBMSM. Participants were recruited using respondent-driven sampling and randomized to intervention or control conditions. Initial seeds for recruitment were selected based on their structural position in a previously described Facebook network. Intervention participants undergo a small group peer change agent workshop led by intervention staff. Booster phone calls are then conducted to participants approximately once per month. The primary focus of the intervention is to motivate participants to discuss PrEP within their social network. Controls attend a group sex-diary session and receive no boosters. After one year, participants cross over conditions. A total of 423 (209 intervention, 214 control) participants were successfully recruited. Only 13 (3.1%) participants reported ever having taken PrEP while 169 (53.1%) participants tested positive for HIV at baseline. A difference in education was noted between intervention and control groups (P = 0.034). A majority of participants in both groups identified as gay or bisexual. Study retention was evaluated through completion of the first booster. Intervention participants successfully completed 63.7% of the first boosters. PrEP Chicago is a network intervention aimed at increasing PrEP uptake among YBMSM and is showing promising study engagement. Additional examination of PrEP diffusion in the network is needed. All authors: No reported disclosures.

Source: Open Forum Infectious Diseases

DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofx163.1114

Authors: Matthew Ferreira, Lindsay Young, John Schneider

Institution: University of Chicago

Language: English

Topic: HIV/AIDS Research and Interventions

Subfield: Infectious Diseases

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $4,053