# Adapting, Pilot Testing a Behavioral Intervention to Incorporate Advances in HIV Prevention for Black Young MSM in Alabama

> **NIH NIH K01** · FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY · 2022 · $119,269

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
The overall goal of this 5-year Mentored Research Scientist Development K01-Award is to support Henna
Budhwani, PhD, MPH become an independent investigator in the field of HIV prevention. The proposed project
seeks to address the HIV crisis in Alabama, where rates of undiagnosed HIV in black young men who have sex
with men (YMSM, 18-29 years) exceed 20%. This project will adapt and test a behavioral intervention to promote
HIV rapid testing in the community, deliver culturally appropriate prevention education, offer sociostructural
supports, and refer eligible participants for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). Four training objectives are
proposed that are in lockstep with three specific aims. Objective 1 includes an intensive training and mentoring
plan in social theory including theories of intersectionality and emerging masculinities. Objective 2 includes in-
depth training on qualitative research methods including how to conduct focus groups, in-depth interviews, and
qualitative data analysis. Aim 1, which will be conducted after Objective 2, is to elucidate experiences, beliefs,
and predictors related to delivery and utilization of HIV testing and prevention services by black YMSM using
qualitative research methods, namely in-depth interviews with HIV outreach staff, focus groups with black YMSM,
and in-depth interviews with members of key sub-groups (e.g. transgender women) to inform the adaptation of
the Brothers Saving Brothers (BSB) intervention. Objective 3 includes didactic and hands-on training on how to
scientifically adapt HIV behavioral interventions using validated frameworks, such as intervention mapping. Aim
2 is to adapt the BSB intervention to include two HIV prevention tools (rapid testing and PrEP), to address
structural barriers, and to be acceptable to black YMSM in Alabama. Objective 4 includes comprehensive training
and mentoring in the field of implementation science. Aim 3, which concludes the proposed research study and
K01 project, is to conduct a hybrid type 1 effectiveness-implementation pilot study of the adapted intervention in
which the candidate will a) assess acceptability and feasibility of adapted BSB (aBSB); b) preliminarily estimate
effects on HIV prevention outcomes; and c) collect data on real-world implementation. These aims will be
accomplished by collaborating with two community-based organizations that are well-respected for their HIV
prevention work in study communities. This rigorous project includes intensive training at the candidate's home
university, the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) and from other prominent institutions that offer very
specific training not found at UAB; engagement within the Adolescent Medicine Trials Network for HIV/AIDS
Interventions (ATN); comprehensive mentoring from senior HIV researchers with expertise in minority, youth,
and MSM health; and a thoughtful research strategy that addresses significant threats, high rates of undiagnosed
HIV and in...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10693632
- **Project number:** 7K01MH116737-05
- **Recipient organization:** FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Henna Budhwani
- **Activity code:** K01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $119,269
- **Award type:** 7
- **Project period:** 2019-05-08 → 2024-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10693632

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10693632, Adapting, Pilot Testing a Behavioral Intervention to Incorporate Advances in HIV Prevention for Black Young MSM in Alabama (7K01MH116737-05). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10693632. Licensed CC0.

---

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