# An Acceptance Based PrEP Intervention to Engage Young Black MSM in the South

> **NIH NIH K23** · RHODE ISLAND HOSPITAL · 2021 · $195,304

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
 Young Black men who have sex with men (YBMSM) have a high incidence of HIV, particularly in the
South. Thus, interventions tailored to YBMSM to enhance engagement in prevention services are urgently
needed. Engagement in PrEP care among YBMSM is less then optimal. The modified social ecological model
(MSEM) defines the multi-level domains of HIV infection risk among key populations. Barriers to PrEP use
among YBMSM occur at each level: 1) individual, 2) social and sexual network, 3) community, 4) policy, and 5)
stage of the HIV epidemic. Examples include individual (e.g. perception of HIV risk), social and sexual network
(e.g. stigma), community (e.g. lack of medical services), and public policy (e.g. cost of care). The boundary
between each level is permeable, thus each is considered in the proposed study. Utilizing components of
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), we will design an intervention to improve PrEP uptake,
persistence, and adherence. We will use a generalized framework for the adaptation of EBIs to inform the
development of a brief intervention for PrEP tailored to YBMSM, named ACTPrEP. ACT addresses barriers by
promoting: 1) present moment awareness, 2) acceptance of internal and external experiences, and 3)
engagement in behaviors that are consistent with values. To maximize utility, ACTPrEP will be delivered by a
PrEP navigator. Candidate: Dr. Arnold is a medical clinical psychologist/scientist with a research background
in HIV related studies in the South. Her career has focused on HIV intervention and prevention. Building on
prior research, she is applying for a five-year K23 Career Development Award. Mentoring: An exceptional
team of senior investigators serve as mentors. Dr. Brown is the Primary Mentor and has expertise in the
designing and implementing of PrEP Interventions. Four co-mentors bring complementary expertise in PrEP
delivery for YBMSM in the South and adherence monitoring (Dr. Mena); adapting behavior change
interventions (Dr. Gaudiano); implementation science (Dr. Elwy); and quantitative data analyses (Dr. Jones).
Research: The proposed aims are 1) Gather data from YBMSM (n = 20) and clinic staff (n = 10) through in-
depth interviews to assess measures, intervention design, and barriers; 2) Develop ACTPrEP utilizing Aim 1
data and working iteratively with experts; and 3) Evaluate ACTPrEP feasibility and acceptability through a
randomized control trial (n=66) and compare ACTPrEP vs. enhanced standard of care on uptake, adherence,
and PrEP persistence. Trainings: Dr. Arnold will receive specific training in designing, adapting, and testing
theory-based interventions, addressing health disparities with racial and sexual minorities, implementation
science, and quantitative analyses through coursework, seminars, workshops, directed readings, and
mentored research. These training and research experiences will establish the candidate’s career as an expert
in clinically informed behavior c...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10253247
- **Project number:** 1K23MH124539-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** RHODE ISLAND HOSPITAL
- **Principal Investigator:** Trisha Arnold
- **Activity code:** K23 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $195,304
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2021-07-01 → 2026-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10253247

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10253247, An Acceptance Based PrEP Intervention to Engage Young Black MSM in the South (1K23MH124539-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10253247. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NIH grants dataset](/datasets/nih-grants) · CC0 1.0*