# Structural Intervention to Promote HIV Care in Black Sexual Minority Men

> **NIH NIH K08** · UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO · 2024 · $142,703

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
The goals of this research project are to use the ADAPT-ITT framework to adapt elements of an existing career
readiness interventions tailored to young SMM and trans women of color at-risk for HIV infection
(Work2Prevent) to the needs of young Black SMM (YBSMM), ages 18-29, living with HIV. Once adapted, a
pilot study of the intervention (Work2Prevent Plus; W2P+) will be conducted with 40 YBSMM to determine
intervention feasibility, acceptability, and efficacy for improving care engagement.
To ensure W2P+ can serve the needs of HIV-positive YBSMM, the research team will engage in a formative
phase of adaptation, wherein quantitative and qualitative data will be collected from employers. A sample of
potential employers (n=50) will complete a survey focused on challenges related to hiring and retaining
individuals with a range of minority identities. A second sample (n = 20) of potential employers will complete an
interview with project staff, where they will respond to vignettes focused on successes and challenges a hiring
manager could encounter when trying to hire and retain employees who are YBSMM living with HIV. These
data will inform the adaptation of W2P+. Next, a series of focus groups will be conducted with members of the
population (n = 40) to identify what they most need in a career readiness intervention. More specifically, this
phase will use the ADAPT-ITT framework to ensure the adapted intervention addresses the range of concerns
associated with employment for YBSMM irrespective of HIV status. Next, the research team will conduct a
theater test with 8 YBSMM aged 18-29 years old and 10 stakeholders serving YBSMM, wherein stakeholders
will observe the administration of content from the existing interventions to identify which content should be
retained, adapted, or replaced. Next, 3 to 5 experts on employment and treatment barriers will be asked for
additional feedback for intervention revision. The feedback will be used for additional revision of W2P+. Finally,
a computerized readability test will ensure that language used in the revised intervention manual and activities
is accessible to a 6th grade reading level. After the intervention manual and delivery procedures with the
ADAPT-ITT model are finalized, 40 YBSMM, ages 18-29, will be enrolled in a single arm pilot trial, with follow-
up assessments at 6 and 12 months. The primary research outcomes for the pilot study are feasibility and
acceptability. Additional outcomes include hours worked per week, job seeking self-efficacy, and proportion of
missed HIV care visits.
Further, we will use implementation science measures to identify the best approach for delivering the
intervention in a CBO setting. Primary implementation outcomes are relative advantage of the intervention and
implementation climate. Secondary outcome is readiness for implementation.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10894282
- **Project number:** 5K08MH130253-03
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO
- **Principal Investigator:** Darnell N Motley
- **Activity code:** K08 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $142,703
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2022-08-17 → 2027-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10894282

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10894282, Structural Intervention to Promote HIV Care in Black Sexual Minority Men (5K08MH130253-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10894282. Licensed CC0.

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