# PrEP US NoW: PrEP Utilization Through Increasing Social Capital Among YBMSM Networks with Women

> **NIH NIH R34** · UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM · 2021 · $265,451

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
HIV, especially in the South, disproportionately affects young Black men who have sex with men (YBMSM).
Development and implementation of effective interventions to scale up HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) are
urgently needed in this population. Prior work has focused on individual-level approaches to increasing PrEP
utilization, while social network-level approaches are comparatively underutilized. Individuals within social
networks have access to social capital, which can yield emotional as well as instrumental resources that influence
health behaviors. Black women represent a key source of social capital within YBMSM social networks, and this
unique role has not been utilized in prior PrEP interventions. We propose to leverage YBMSM’s supportive
connections with Black women to develop PrEP US NoW (PrEP Utilization through increasing Social Capital
among YBMSM Networks with Women), a novel mobile health intervention that will engage Black women as
facilitators in existing networks of YBMSM, as a way of enhancing social capital, decreasing intersectional
stigma, and promoting PrEP uptake within the network. The proposal will pursue three specific aims: (1)
Qualitatively evaluate core health-promoting elements of social capital bonds between YBMSM and Black
women in extant social support networks; (2) Adapt an existing, evidence-based mHealth intervention to create
PrEP US NoW; and (3) Evaluate feasibility and acceptability of PrEP US NoW, as well as preliminary efficacy to
increase PrEP uptake among YBMSM, in a randomized-controlled pilot trial. For Aim 1, we will conduct
qualitative interviews with n=20 YBMSM and n=20 Black women to gain insights into preferred attributes of Black
woman facilitators, as well as feedback on intervention content and format. In Aim 2, we will develop the PrEP
US NoW mobile app. The central feature of the PrEP US NoW intervention will be real-time, virtual discussions
led by a trained Black woman facilitator, delivered to an existing network of YBMSM. Additional features and
content will be refined based on our Aim 1 findings. We will conduct usability testing in an iterative process with
both YBMSM and Black women. In Aim 3, we will randomize YBMSM networks (up to five members each),
recruited using respondent driven sampling techniques, to the intervention (PrEP US NoW) or control study arm
(mHealth app without social capital components). Participants (N=60) will complete validated surveys measuring
social capital, internalized homonegativity, and PrEP uptake at baseline, 1-month, and at 3-months’ time. HIV
testing will be done at baseline and at 3-months’ time. We will assess feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary
efficacy. This study will be conducted in an epicenter of the Southern HIV epidemic: Alabama. Upon completion
of our aims, we will have collected requisite preliminary data to inform a fully powered multi-site efficacy trial.
The proposed research has strong potential to inform...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10325097
- **Project number:** 1R34MH128072-01
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM
- **Principal Investigator:** Latesha Ellen Elopre
- **Activity code:** R34 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $265,451
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2021-07-23 → 2024-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10325097

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10325097, PrEP US NoW: PrEP Utilization Through Increasing Social Capital Among YBMSM Networks with Women (1R34MH128072-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10325097. Licensed CC0.

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