Russell Brewer1, Chris Daunis2, Sabira Ebaady2, Leo Wilton3,4, Sarah Chrestman2, Snigdha Mukherjee5, Mary Moore6, Renee Corrigan7, John Schneider8. 1. Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, 5837 S. Maryland Ave., Chicago, IL, 60637, USA. rbrewer@medicine.bsd.uchicago.edu. 2. Louisiana Public Health Institute, 1515 Poydras Street, Suite 1200, New Orleans, LA, 70112, USA. 3. State University of New York at Binghamton, Human Development Department, University Downtown Center, 67 Washington Street, Binghamton, NY, 13901-3702, USA. 4. Faculty of Humanities, University of Johannesburg, PO Box 524, Auckland Park 2006, Johannesburg, South Africa. 5. Foundation for Advancement of International Medical Education and Research, 3624 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19104-2685, USA. 6. Dillard University, 2601 Gentilly Boulevard, New Orleans, LA, 70122, USA. 7. Greater New Orleans Fair Housing Action Center, 1340 Poydras Street, Suite 710, New Orleans, LA, 70112, USA. 8. Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, 5837 S. Maryland Ave., Chicago, IL, 60637, USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: We describe the background, rationale, intervention components, and formative results of a demonstration project aimed to ameliorate five socio-structural barriers to HIV services for young Black men aged 18-29 living with and at risk for HIV in Louisiana. METHODS: The interventions and activities consisted of (1) five person-centered approaches to enhance linkage to HIV services and improve socio-economic outcomes; (2) the implementation of systematic mystery shopping tests to document instances of housing discrimination; (3) the development and implementation of a multi-prong communications campaign to increase knowledge about the signs of housing discrimination and community resources among young Black men who have sex with men (YBMSM); (4) the integration of HIV/STI services and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and trans (LGBT)-inclusive events on Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs); and (5) the development of a safe space for YBMSM. A multi-method approach was used to evaluate the outcomes of the different interventions. RESULTS: The majority (62%) of participants living with HIV were linked to HIV care and 49% had achieved viral suppression. More than 40% of participants were employed during the project. Thirty-seven percent (37%) of the mystery shopping tests showed definite or possible signs of housing discrimination. The housing campaign's duration was limited with unknown long-term impact among YBMSM. Fifteen cases of syphilis were identified during two HBCU events. A safe space was specifically created for YBMSM at a community-based organization. CONCLUSION: Multi-component holistic health interventions are needed to improve HIV outcomes and curb the high HIV rates among young Black men, particularly YBMSM in the United States and the Deep South.
BACKGROUND: We describe the background, rationale, intervention components, and formative results of a demonstration project aimed to ameliorate five socio-structural barriers to HIV services for young Black men aged 18-29 living with and at risk for HIV in Louisiana. METHODS: The interventions and activities consisted of (1) five person-centered approaches to enhance linkage to HIV services and improve socio-economic outcomes; (2) the implementation of systematic mystery shopping tests to document instances of housing discrimination; (3) the development and implementation of a multi-prong communications campaign to increase knowledge about the signs of housing discrimination and community resources among young Black men who have sex with men (YBMSM); (4) the integration of HIV/STI services and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and trans (LGBT)-inclusive events on Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs); and (5) the development of a safe space for YBMSM. A multi-method approach was used to evaluate the outcomes of the different interventions. RESULTS: The majority (62%) of participants living with HIV were linked to HIV care and 49% had achieved viral suppression. More than 40% of participants were employed during the project. Thirty-seven percent (37%) of the mystery shopping tests showed definite or possible signs of housing discrimination. The housing campaign's duration was limited with unknown long-term impact among YBMSM. Fifteen cases of syphilis were identified during two HBCU events. A safe space was specifically created for YBMSM at a community-based organization. CONCLUSION: Multi-component holistic health interventions are needed to improve HIV outcomes and curb the high HIV rates among young Black men, particularly YBMSM in the United States and the Deep South.
Entities:
Keywords:
Black men who have sex with men (BMSM); HIV prevention; Social and structural factors; South; Young Black men
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