Increasing engagement and improving HIV care outcomes via stigma reduction in an online social networking intervention among racially diverse young men who have sex with men and transgender women

NIH RePORTER · NIH · R01 · $100,152 · view on reporter.nih.gov ↗

Abstract

Project Summary / Abstract of Funded Parent Project Abstract Multiple stigmas related to sexuality, race, and HIV infection negatively impact HIV testing, engagement in HIV care, and consistent viral suppression (VS) among young Black or Latino men who have sex with men and transgender women (YBLMT). At present, few interventions have addressed the effects of intersectional stigma among HIV-infected and uninfected populations. In response to RFA-MH-18-606, this study tests whether an online intervention tailored for intersectional stigma amelioration can elicit online social support, promote intervention engagement, and mitigate the impact of multiple stigmas on HIV-related outcomes. We will recruit and enroll 1,050 young (ages 15-29), racially and ethnically diverse men who have sex with men and transgender women affected by HIV across the United States. Using a HIV-status stratified randomized trial design, participants will be assigned into one of three conditions (information-only control, a researcher-driven social network intervention, or a peer-driven social network intervention). Behavioral assessments will occur at baseline, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months; biomarkers (viral load) are scheduled for baseline, 6 and 12 months. The primary outcome is stratified by HIV status and defined as successful engagement in care (consistent VS for HIV-positive participants and routine testing for HIV-negative participants).

Key facts

NIH application ID
10149780
Project number
3R01MD013623-03S1
Recipient
UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA
Principal Investigator
Jose Arturo Bauermeister
Activity code
R01
Funding institute
NIH
Fiscal year
2020
Award amount
$100,152
Award type
3
Project period
2018-08-16 → 2023-03-31