# Efficacy of a differentiated care intervention for adolescents transitioning to adult HIV care in Peru

> **NIH NIH R01** · HARVARD MEDICAL SCHOOL · 2024 · $100,000

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
In Latin America, sexual and gender minorities are disproportionately affected by HIV. Recent data from the
proposed study setting of Peru suggests that the prevalence of HIV is as high as 12% among men who have
sex with men (MSM) and 21% among transgender women (TGW), with >60% of new infections occurring in
these key populations.
Homophobia, transphobia and exaggerated masculinity (i.e., machismo) are pervasive in Latin America: one
survey found that over 60% of sexual and gender minorities felt they could not disclose their sexual orientation
or gender identity without fear, and 30% reported that their family was unaware of their sexual orientation. To
avoid stigmatizing labels, individuals may elect not to disclose sexual or gender identity and withhold relevant
information on sexual behaviors from healthcare providers. They may also incorrectly assess their own risk for
important medical conditions (e.g., MPox, HIV) and opt not to engage in preventive health interventions (e.g.,
PrEP, HIV testing). Furthermore, the evolving terminology used to describe sexual and gender identity may vary
across educational and socioeconomic status, challenging the meaningful interpretation of standardized
sociodemographic surveys on sexual and gender identity.
The overall goal of this proposal is to gain a better understanding of how sexual and gender identity are
conceived by youth in an urban Latin American setting. We will leverage an ongoing social-behavioral
intervention trial enrolling adolescents and young adults living with HIV and strong ties with the LGBTQI+
community in Lima, Peru to explore (1) how sexual identity aligns with prior consensual sexual behavior; (2)
perceptions of common terms used to describe sexual and gender identity and differences according to
education and socioeconomic status; and (3) reasons that sexual and gender minorities refuse, withdraw from,
or have limited in engagement with healthcare, research and/or intervention activities. The findings from this
research will be critical to tailoring HIV prevention messages; deriving terminology that is intuitive and aligned
with the Peruvian population for patient-centered HIV care and research activities; and ensuring that that sexual
and gender minorities can fully avail of existing health interventions and health research.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 11019219
- **Project number:** 3R01MH131414-03S1
- **Recipient organization:** HARVARD MEDICAL SCHOOL
- **Principal Investigator:** Molly Forrest Franke
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $100,000
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2022-09-15 → 2027-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/11019219

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 11019219, Efficacy of a differentiated care intervention for adolescents transitioning to adult HIV care in Peru (3R01MH131414-03S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/11019219. Licensed CC0.

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