Sarah Wood1, Nadia Dowshen2, José A Bauermeister3, Linden Lalley-Chareczko4, Joshua Franklin2, Danielle Petsis5, Meghan Swyryn4, Kezia Barnett5, Gary E Weissman6, Helen C Koenig7, Robert Gross8. 1. Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Division of Adolescent Medicine, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Electronic address: woodsa@email.chop.edu. 2. Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Division of Adolescent Medicine, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 3. School of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 4. Philadelphia FIGHT Community Health Centers, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 5. Division of Adolescent Medicine, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 6. Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 7. Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Philadelphia FIGHT Community Health Centers, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 8. Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Abstract
PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to characterize perceived social support for young men and transgender women who have sex with men (YM/TWSM) taking HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). METHODS: Mixed-methods study of HIV-negative YM/TWSM of color prescribed oral PrEP. Participants completed egocentric network inventories characterizing their social support networks and identifying PrEP adherence support figures. A subset (n = 31) completed semistructured interviews exploring adherence support and qualities of PrEP support figures. We calculated proportions of role types (e.g., family), individuals disclosed to regarding PrEP use, and PrEP-supportive individuals within each participant network. Interviews were analyzed using an inductive approach. RESULTS: Participants (n = 50) were predominately African American men who have sex with men. Median age was 22 years (interquartile range: 20-23). Biologic family were the most common support figures, reported by 75% of participants (mean family proportion .37 [standard deviation (SD): .31]), followed by 67% reporting friends (mean friend proportion .38 [SD: .36]). Most network members were aware (mean disclosed proportion .74 [SD: .31]) and supportive (mean supportive proportion .87 [SD: .28]) of the participants' PrEP use. Nearly all (98%) participants identified ≥1 figure who provided adherence support; more often friends (48%) than family (36%). Participants characterized support as instrumental (e.g., transportation); emotional (e.g., affection); and social interaction (e.g., taking medication together). Key characteristics of PrEP support figures included closeness, dependability, and homophily (alikeness) with respect to sexual orientation. CONCLUSIONS: Although most YM/TWSM identified family in their support networks, friends were most often cited as PrEP adherence support figures. Interventions to increase PrEP adherence should consider integrated social network and family-based approaches.
PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to characterize perceived social support for young men and transgender women who have sex with men (YM/TWSM) taking HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). METHODS: Mixed-methods study of HIV-negative YM/TWSM of color prescribed oral PrEP. Participants completed egocentric network inventories characterizing their social support networks and identifying PrEP adherence support figures. A subset (n = 31) completed semistructured interviews exploring adherence support and qualities of PrEP support figures. We calculated proportions of role types (e.g., family), individuals disclosed to regarding PrEP use, and PrEP-supportive individuals within each participant network. Interviews were analyzed using an inductive approach. RESULTS:Participants (n = 50) were predominately African American men who have sex with men. Median age was 22 years (interquartile range: 20-23). Biologic family were the most common support figures, reported by 75% of participants (mean family proportion .37 [standard deviation (SD): .31]), followed by 67% reporting friends (mean friend proportion .38 [SD: .36]). Most network members were aware (mean disclosed proportion .74 [SD: .31]) and supportive (mean supportive proportion .87 [SD: .28]) of the participants' PrEP use. Nearly all (98%) participants identified ≥1 figure who provided adherence support; more often friends (48%) than family (36%). Participants characterized support as instrumental (e.g., transportation); emotional (e.g., affection); and social interaction (e.g., taking medication together). Key characteristics of PrEP support figures included closeness, dependability, and homophily (alikeness) with respect to sexual orientation. CONCLUSIONS: Although most YM/TWSM identified family in their support networks, friends were most often cited as PrEP adherence support figures. Interventions to increase PrEP adherence should consider integrated social network and family-based approaches.
Authors: Sybil G Hosek; Bret Rudy; Raphael Landovitz; Bill Kapogiannis; George Siberry; Brandy Rutledge; Nancy Liu; Jennifer Brothers; Kathleen Mulligan; Gregory Zimet; Michelle Lally; Kenneth H Mayer; Peter Anderson; Jennifer Kiser; James F Rooney; Craig M Wilson Journal: J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr Date: 2017-01-01 Impact factor: 3.731
Authors: Sybil G Hosek; Raphael J Landovitz; Bill Kapogiannis; George K Siberry; Bret Rudy; Brandy Rutledge; Nancy Liu; D Robert Harris; Kathleen Mulligan; Gregory Zimet; Kenneth H Mayer; Peter Anderson; Jennifer J Kiser; Michelle Lally; Jennifer Brothers; Kelly Bojan; Jim Rooney; Craig M Wilson Journal: JAMA Pediatr Date: 2017-11-01 Impact factor: 16.193
Authors: Aaron J Siegler; Farah Mouhanna; Robertino Mera Giler; Kevin Weiss; Elizabeth Pembleton; Jodie Guest; Jeb Jones; Amanda Castel; Howa Yeung; Michael Kramer; Scott McCallister; Patrick S Sullivan Journal: Ann Epidemiol Date: 2018-06-15 Impact factor: 3.797
Authors: Carl A Latkin; Melissa A Davey-Rothwell; Amy R Knowlton; Kamila A Alexander; Chyvette T Williams; Basmattee Boodram Journal: J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr Date: 2013-06-01 Impact factor: 3.731
Authors: Sheena McCormack; David T Dunn; Monica Desai; David I Dolling; Mitzy Gafos; Richard Gilson; Ann K Sullivan; Amanda Clarke; Iain Reeves; Gabriel Schembri; Nicola Mackie; Christine Bowman; Charles J Lacey; Vanessa Apea; Michael Brady; Julie Fox; Stephen Taylor; Simone Antonucci; Saye H Khoo; James Rooney; Anthony Nardone; Martin Fisher; Alan McOwan; Andrew N Phillips; Anne M Johnson; Brian Gazzard; Owen N Gill Journal: Lancet Date: 2015-09-09 Impact factor: 79.321
Authors: Stephen Bonett; Nadia Dowshen; José Bauermeister; Steven Meanley; Andrea L Wirtz; David D Celentano; Noya Galai; Renata Arrington-Sanders Journal: AIDS Behav Date: 2021-09-21
Authors: Yu Liu; Savanah Russ; Jason Mitchell; Sarahmona Przybyla; Chen Zhang Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2022-01-10 Impact factor: 3.390