Michelle S Williams1, Tonia Poteat2, Melverta Bender3, Precious Ugwu1, Paul A Burns4. 1. Department of Global and Community Health, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA, USA. 2. Department of Social Medicine, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, NC, USA. 3. Office of STD/HIV, Mississippi State Department of Health, Jackson, MS, USA. 4. Department of Population Health Science, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, USA.
Abstract
PURPOSE: The incidence of new HIV infections is disproportionately high among Black men who have sex with men (BMSM) in Mississippi. Community-based organizations received funding through the ACCELERATE! initiative to implement interventions aimed at increasing BMSM's access to HIV prevention, treatment and care interventions. APPROACH: We conducted a mixed methods evaluation of the ACCELERATE! initiative to assess its impact. We also explored factors that act as barriers to and facilitators of BMSM's engagement in HIV prevention interventions. SETTING: Interviews were conducted between July 2018 and February 2020. PARTICIPANTS: Thirty-six BMSM and 13 non-grantee key informants who worked in the field of HIV in Mississippi participated. METHOD: The qualitative data from the interview transcripts was analyzed using an iterative, inductive coding process. RESULTS: We identified 10 key recommendations that were most common across all participants and that were aligned with UNAIDS Global AIDS Strategy strategic priorities. Several recommendations address the reduction of HIV- and LGBT-stigma. Two of the most common recommendations were to increase representation of the target population in health promotion program leadership and to include HIV with other Black health issues in community-based health education programs rather than singling it out. Another recommendation called for programs aimed at addressing underlying factors associated with HIV-risk behaviors, such as mental illness. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that HIV education interventions in the Deep South need to be revitalized to enhance their reach and effectiveness.
PURPOSE: The incidence of new HIV infections is disproportionately high among Black men who have sex with men (BMSM) in Mississippi. Community-based organizations received funding through the ACCELERATE! initiative to implement interventions aimed at increasing BMSM's access to HIV prevention, treatment and care interventions. APPROACH: We conducted a mixed methods evaluation of the ACCELERATE! initiative to assess its impact. We also explored factors that act as barriers to and facilitators of BMSM's engagement in HIV prevention interventions. SETTING: Interviews were conducted between July 2018 and February 2020. PARTICIPANTS: Thirty-six BMSM and 13 non-grantee key informants who worked in the field of HIV in Mississippi participated. METHOD: The qualitative data from the interview transcripts was analyzed using an iterative, inductive coding process. RESULTS: We identified 10 key recommendations that were most common across all participants and that were aligned with UNAIDS Global AIDS Strategy strategic priorities. Several recommendations address the reduction of HIV- and LGBT-stigma. Two of the most common recommendations were to increase representation of the target population in health promotion program leadership and to include HIV with other Black health issues in community-based health education programs rather than singling it out. Another recommendation called for programs aimed at addressing underlying factors associated with HIV-risk behaviors, such as mental illness. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that HIV education interventions in the Deep South need to be revitalized to enhance their reach and effectiveness.
Entities:
Keywords:
Deep South; HIV prevention; health disparities; health promotion; qualitative research
Authors: Andrea L Wirtz; Paul A Burns; Tonia Poteat; Mannat Malik; Jordan J White; Durryle Brooks; Parastu Kasaie; Chris Beyrer Journal: AIDS Behav Date: 2022-06-04