# Intersectional Discrimination and Sexual Health Among Young Black Men who Have Sex with Men: A Mixed Methods Study

> **NIH NIH F31** · DUKE UNIVERSITY · 2024 · $42,014

## Abstract

ABSTRACT
One in two Black men who have sex with men (MSM) in the United States will acquire HIV in their lifetime, an
inequity that has worsened over time despite Black MSM engaging in fewer sexual risk behaviors, such as
condomless anal sex, than White and Hispanic/Latino MSM. This disparate HIV incidence is especially
prevalent in early adulthood, making it crucial to understand factors surrounding poor sexual health outcomes
of young Black MSM (YBMSM), ages 18-29 years. YBMSM are often impacted by multiple, intersecting
systems of oppression, resulting in intersectional discrimination and a variety of experiences that can adversely
impact their sexual health. The goal of the proposed research and training fellowship is for the applicant to
acquire the skills and expertise necessary to become an independent, mixed methods researcher focused on
sexual health equity among sexual and gender minoritized (SGM) populations. The proposed research and
training will be conducted at the Duke University School of Nursing, supported by Sponsor Dr. Marta Mulawa
and Co-Sponsor Dr. Rosa Gonzalez-Guarda. Specific training goals include advancement of theoretical and
pragmatic knowledge of intersectionality and SGM sexual health, mixed methods integration, and development
of scientific dissemination skills rooted in community engagement. These goals will be accomplished through a
variety of workshops, mentorship activities, and execution of the proposed research that strives to understand
the heterogeneity of intersectional discrimination experiences among YBMSM and their sexual health. This
study’s aims are to: 1) identify latent subgroups of YBMSM with different patterns of intersectional
discrimination experiences due to various reason(s) (race/ethnicity, physical appearance, sexual orientation,
and education/income level); 2) determine the relationship between the identified latent subgroups of
discrimination with latent subgroups of sexual health, determined by multiple indicators (pre-exposure
prophylaxis (PrEP) awareness, lifetime PrEP use, lifetime HIV and STI testing, recent STI testing, and
condomless insertive and receptive sex); and 3) contextualize how intersectional discrimination experiences
may shape sexual health among purposively sampled YBMSM participants (n = 20) based on identified
discrimination subgroups, using semi-structured individual interviews. To achieve these aims, an explanatory
sequential (QUAN à qual) mixed methods design will be used, analyzing data from a subsample of YBMSM
ages 18-29 from a large dataset (R01MD013623), which will inform subsequent in-depth interviews. By
combining quantitative and qualitative strands of data, the proposed study will thoroughly examine and
contextualize the variation in YBMSM experiences with discrimination and sexual health, providing a critical
foundation for future tailored interventions focused on mitigating sexual health inequities. The sexual health
equity focus of this study closely ali...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 11001043
- **Project number:** 1F31MH138075-01
- **Recipient organization:** DUKE UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Sarah Elise Janek
- **Activity code:** F31 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $42,014
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2024-07-01 → 2025-03-12

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/11001043

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 11001043, Intersectional Discrimination and Sexual Health Among Young Black Men who Have Sex with Men: A Mixed Methods Study (1F31MH138075-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/11001043. Licensed CC0.

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