TRUST: Assessing the Efficacy of an Intervention to Increase HIV Self-Testing Among Young Black Men Who have Sex with Men (MSM) and Transwomen.

HIV testing among young Black MSM and transwomen (YBMSM/TW) is the gateway to biomedical HIV prevention or treatment. HIV self-testing (HST) is a method that may increase consistent HIV testing. TRUST, a brief, peer-based behavioral intervention, was designed to increase uptake of consistent (every three months) HST among YBMSM/TW in New York City. To test the efficacy of the intervention, we randomized 200 friend pairs into either the intervention condition (TRUST) or a time and attention control condition. A modified intent-to-treat analysis found that self-reported HST at 3-month follow-up was statistically significantly higher (uOR 2.29; 95% CI 1.15, 4.58) and at 6-month follow-up was marginally statistically significantly higher (uOR 1.94; 95% CI 1.00, 3.75) in the intervention arm as compared with the control arm. There were no statistically significant differences by arm at 9- or 12-month follow-up. TRUST, a culturally-congruent intervention to increase HST among YBMSM/TW, had short-term impact on past-three month HST.Clinical Trials Registration ClinicalTrial.gov NCT04210271.

Beliefs Associated with Intention to Use PrEP Among Cisgender U.S. Women at Elevated HIV Risk.

Women comprise 19% of those newly diagnosed with HIV in the U.S. There is a wide gap between recommended use of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and actual uptake among women who are eligible for PrEP. In order to identify women's beliefs and intentions about starting PrEP, a survey, informed by the reasoned action approach, was administered to 160 cisgender PrEP-eligible women, age 18-55, in Philadelphia and New York City. The mean age was 40.2 years (SD = 11.78), 44% had completed high school, 75% were unemployed, and 85% experienced financial instability in the past 3 months. Multivariate linear regression analyses identified sets of behavioral and normative beliefs associated with intention to start PrEP in the next 3 months. Behavioral beliefs reflected views about PrEP benefits such as preventing HIV, and normative beliefs reflected perceptions of support or lack thereof from others including partners, friends, mother, and children. These findings can be used to inform interventions to foster greater PrEP uptake among women.

Who is Using the HIV Self-Test among Young Black Men Who Have Sex With Men (MSM) and Transwomen in New York City?

BACKGROUND: HIV self-testing (HST) is an important complement to existing testing approaches for young Black men who have sex with men (MSM) and transwomen. METHODS: In this formative research, we describe prevalence and perceptions of HST using qualitative in-depth interviews (n = 29) and baseline quantitative data (n = 302) from an HST intervention trial for young Black MSM and transwomen. RESULTS: In the qualitative analysis, participants preferred the privacy and flexibility of the HST but had concerns about its accuracy and being alone while testing. Quantitative results showed that 14% (44/302) had used an HST in their lifetime; of these, 64% (28/44) used it once and 23% (10/44) in the last 3 months. CONCLUSION: To increase consistent testing, HST may provide a new avenue for at-risk individuals that value privacy and control and could benefit from social support during testing.

Post-exposure Prophylaxis Awareness, Knowledge, Access and Use Among Three Populations in New York City, 2016-17.

Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is a cost-effective, but underused HIV prevention strategy. PEP awareness, knowledge, access, and usage was assessed among young men of color who have sex with men (YMSMOC; n = 177), transgender women (TW; n = 182), and cisgender women of color (CWOC; n = 170) in New York City. 59% were aware of PEP: 80% among YMSMOC, 63% among TW and 34% among CWOC (p < 0.001). 13% had ever used PEP. PEP awareness was higher among YMSMOC with a recent HIV test and lower among those with ≥ 4 partners. PEP awareness was lower among TW who anticipated stigma and reported barriers to taking PEP, and higher among TW who exchanged sex for resources. Among CWOC, more barriers to taking PEP reduced the odds of PEP awareness. PEP education and outreach needs to be deliberate about population-specific campaigns, with a need to focus on reducing PEP stigma and other barriers which impede PEP access.

Preferences for HIV test characteristics among young, Black Men Who Have Sex With Men (MSM) and transgender women: Implications for consistent HIV testing.

BACKGROUND: Promoting consistent HIV testing is critical among young, Black Men Who Have Sex With Men (MSM) and transgender women who are overrepresented among new HIV cases in the United States. New HIV test options are available, including mobile unit testing, one-minute testing, at home or self-testing and couples HIV testing and counseling (CHTC). In the context of these newer options, the objective of this study was to explore whether and how preferences for specific characteristics of the tests acted as barriers to and/or facilitators of testing in general and consistent testing specifically among young Black MSM and transgender women aged 16 to 29. METHODS: We conducted 30 qualitative, semi-structured, in-depth interviews with young, Black, gay, bisexual or MSM and transgender women in the New York City metropolitan area to identify preferences for specific HIV tests and aspects of HIV testing options. Participants were primarily recruited from online and mobile sites, followed by community-based, face-to-face recruitment strategies to specifically reach younger participants. Thematic coding was utilized to analyze the qualitative data based on a grounded theoretical approach. RESULTS: We identified how past experiences, perceived test characteristics (e.g., accuracy, cost, etc.) and beliefs about the "fit" between the individual, and the test relate to preferred testing methods and consistent testing. Three major themes emerged as important to preferences for HIV testing methods: the perceived accuracy of the test method, venue characteristics, and lack of knowledge or experience with the newer testing options, including self-testing and CHTC. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that increasing awareness of and access to newer HIV testing options (e.g., free or reduced price on home or self-tests or CHTC available at all testing venues) is critical if these new options are to facilitate increased levels of consistent testing among young, Black MSM and transgender women. Addressing perceptions of test accuracy and supporting front line staff in creating welcoming and safe testing environments may be key intervention targets. Connecting young Black MSM and transgender women to the best test option, given preferences for specific characteristics, may support more and more consistent HIV testing.

HIV-Related Communication and Safe Sex Practices among Heterosexual Black Men: A Qualitative Report.

HIV prevention efforts have given limited attention to the influence of social norms on the process of communicating about safer sex practices among heterosexual Black men. To address this and inform the development of an HIV prevention behavioral intervention for heterosexual African American men, we conducted computerized, structured interviews with 61 men living in high HIV prevalence neighborhoods in New York City to participate in either one of the five focus group interviews and/or an in-depth qualitative interview. Participants had a mean age of 33 years, 25% held less than a high school education, 66% earned an annual income of $10,000 or less, and 86% had a history of incarceration Qualitative analysis was used to identify emergent themes within the domains of condom use communication, HIV status disclosure with sexual partners, and general HIV knowledge among peers. Thematic analyses revealed that communication was hindered by (1) low perception of risk of sex partners (2) relationship insecurities and (3) HIV stigma within the community and between sex partners. Most communication related to condom use was based on their perception of their sex partner's HIV risk and fear of contracting HIV and/or a partner's reaction to proposing or using condoms. Discussions related to HIV status elicited concerns of being labeled as HIV-positive or leading to unprotected sex. Communication among peers was rare due in part to the stigma of HIV in the Black community. Effective HIV interventions for heterosexual should include communication strategies that address the cultural norms that influence safe sex practices.

Do Sexual Networks of Men Who Have Sex with Men in New York City Differ by Race/Ethnicity?

The United States HIV epidemic disproportionately affects Black and Hispanic men who have sex with men (MSM). This disparity might be partially explained by differences in social and sexual network structure and composition. A total of 1267 MSM in New York City completed an ACASI survey and egocentric social and sexual network inventory about their sex partners in the past 3 months, and underwent HIV testing. Social and sexual network structure and composition were compared by race/ethnicity of the egos: black, non-Hispanic (N = 365 egos), white, non-Hispanic (N = 466), and Hispanic (N = 436). 21.1% were HIV-positive by HIV testing; 17.2% reported serodiscordant and serostatus unknown unprotected anal/vaginal intercourse (SDUI) in the last 3 months. Black MSM were more likely than white and Hispanic MSM to report exclusively having partners of same race/ethnicity. Black and Hispanic MSM had more HIV-positive and unknown status partners than white MSM. White men were more likely to report overlap of social and sex partners than black and Hispanic men. No significant differences by race/ethnicity were found for network size, density, having concurrent partners, or having partners with ≥10 years age difference. Specific network composition characteristics may explain racial/ethnic disparities in HIV infection rates among MSM, including HIV status of sex partners in networks and lack of social support within sexual networks. Network structural characteristics such as size and density do not appear to have such an impact. These data add to our understanding of the complexity of social factors affecting black MSM and Hispanic MSM in the U.S.

"Just Because It's Out There, People Aren't Going to Use It." HIV Self-Testing Among Young, Black MSM, and Transgender Women.

HIV disproportionately affects young black MSM and transgender women in the US. Increasing HIV testing rates among these populations is a critical public health goal. Although HIV self-tests are commercially available, there is a need to better understand access to and uptake of HIV self-testing among this population. Here, we report results of a qualitative study of 30 young black MSM and transgender women residing in the New York City area to understand facilitators of and barriers to a range of HIV testing approaches, including self-testing. Mean age was 23.7 years (SD = 3.4). Over half (54%) had some college or an associate's degree, yet 37% had an annual personal income of less than $10,000 per year. Most (64%) participants had tested in the past 6 months; venues included community health/free clinics, medical offices, mobile testing units, hospitals, emergency departments, and research sites. Just one participant reported ever using a commercially available HIV self-test. Facilitators of self-testing included convenience, control, and privacy, particularly as compared to venue-based testing. Barriers to self-testing included the cost of the test, anxiety regarding accessing the test, concerns around correct test operation, and lack of support if a test result is positive. Participants indicated that instruction in correct test operation and social support in the event of a positive test result may increase the likelihood that they would use the self-test. Alongside developing new approaches to HIV prevention, developing ways to increase HIV self-testing is a public health priority for young, black MSM, and transgender women.

HIV Sexual Risk and Syndemics among Women in Three Urban Areas in the United States: Analysis from HVTN 906.

Limited data are available on the longitudinal occurrence of syndemic factors among women at risk for HIV infection in the USA and how these factors relate to sexual risk over time. HVTN 906 was a longitudinal study enrolling 799 HIV-uninfected women in three cities. Assessments were done at baseline, 6, 12, and 18 months to assess syndemic factors (low education, low income, unemployment, lack of health insurance, housing instability, substance use, heavy alcohol use, partner violence, incarceration) and sexual risk outcomes. For each sexual risk outcome, a GEE model was fit with syndemic factors or syndemic score (defined as sum of binary syndemics, ranging from 0 to 9), visit, study site, age and race/ethnicity as predictors to examine the multivariable association between syndemic factors and outcomes over time. Odds of unprotected sex while drunk or high were significantly higher when women reported lack of health insurance, substance and heavy alcohol use and partner violence. Housing instability, substance and heavy alcohol use, partner violence and recent incarceration were associated with higher odds of having multiple sexual partners. Odds of sex exchange were significantly higher in the presence of unemployment, housing instability, low education, lack of health insurance, substance and heavy alcohol use, partner violence and incarceration. Housing instability, substance and heavy alcohol use, and partner violence were significantly associated with higher odds of unprotected anal sex. Odds of having a recent STI were significantly higher when women reported housing instability and partner violence. There were significantly higher odds of the reporting of any risk outcomes during follow-up with higher syndemic score. This study highlights a group of women experiencing multiple poor social and health outcomes who need to be the focus of comprehensive interventions.

Knowing is not enough: a qualitative report on HIV testing among heterosexual African-American men.

Despite having higher rates of HIV testing than all other racial groups, African-Americans continue to be disproportionately affected by the HIV epidemic in the United States. Knowing one's status is the key step to maintaining behavioral changes that could stop the spread of the virus, yet little is known about the individual- and socio-structural-level barriers associated with HIV testing and communication among heterosexual African-American men. To address this and inform the development of an HIV prevention behavioral intervention for heterosexual African-American men, we conducted computerized, structured interviews with 61 men, focus group interviews with 25 men in 5 different groups, and in-depth qualitative interviews with 30 men living in high HIV prevalence neighborhoods in New York City. Results revealed that HIV testing was frequent among the participants. Even with high rates of testing, the men in the study had low levels of HIV knowledge; perceived little risk of HIV; and misused HIV testing as a prevention method. Factors affecting HIV testing, included stigma, relationship dynamics and communication, and societal influences, suggesting that fear, low perception of risk, and HIV stigma may be the biggest barriers to HIV testing. These results also suggest that interventions directed toward African-American heterosexual men must address the use of "testing as prevention" as well as correct misunderstandings of the window period and the meaning of HIV test results, and interventions should focus on communicating about HIV.

Sexual orientation- and race-based discrimination and sexual HIV risk behavior among urban MSM.

Understanding what social factors are associated with risk of HIV acquisition and transmission among gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (MSM) is a critical public health goal. Experiencing discrimination may increase risk of HIV infection among MSM. This analysis assessed relations between experiences of sexual orientation- and race-based discrimination and sexual HIV risk behavior among MSM in New York City. 1,369 MSM completed a self-administered computerized assessment of past 3-month sexual behavior, experience of social discrimination and other covariates. Regression models assessed relations between recent experience of discrimination and sexual HIV risk behavior. Mean age was 32 years; 32 % were white; 32 % Latino/Hispanic; 25 % African American/Black. Of MSM who self-reported HIV-positive or unknown status (377), 7 % (N = 27) reported having unprotected insertive anal intercourse with an HIV-negative or unknown status partner ("HIV transmission risk"). Of MSM who self-reported HIV-negative status (992), 11 % (110) reported unprotected receptive anal intercourse with an HIV-positive or unknown status partner ("HIV acquisition risk"). HIV acquisition risk was positively associated with sexual orientation-based discrimination in home or social neighborhoods, but not race-based discrimination. We observed that sexual orientation-based discrimination was associated with sexual HIV risk behavior among urban-dwelling MSM. Addressing environmental sources of this form of discrimination, as well as the psychological distress that may result, should be prioritized in HIV prevention efforts.

Feasibility of identifying a cohort of US women at high risk for HIV infection for HIV vaccine efficacy trials: longitudinal results of HVTN 906.

BACKGROUND: Identifying cohorts of US women with HIV infection rates sufficient for inclusion in vaccine efficacy trials has been challenging. Using geography and sexual network characteristics to inform recruitment strategies, HVTN 906 determined the feasibility of recruiting a cohort of women at high risk for HIV acquisition. METHODS: HIV uninfected women who reported unprotected sex in the prior 6 months, resided or engaged in risk behavior in local geographical high-risk pockets and/or had a male partner who had been incarcerated, injected drugs, or had concurrent partners were eligible. Behavioral risk assessment, HIV counseling and testing, and pregnancy testing were done at baseline, 6, 12, and 18 months. RESULTS: Among 799 women, 71% were from local high-risk pockets and had high-risk male partners. Median age was 37 years; 79% were Black; and 15% Latina. Over half (55%) reported a new partner in the prior 6 months, 57% reported a male partner who had concurrent female sexual partners, and 37% reported a male partner who had been incarcerated. Retention at 18 months was 79.5%. Annual pregnancy incidence was 12%. Annual HIV incidence was 0.31% (95% confidence interval: 0.06% to 0.91%). Risk behaviors decreased between screening and 6 months with smaller changes thereafter. DISCUSSION: This cohort of women recruited using new strategies based on geography and sexual network characteristics did not have an HIV incidence high enough for HIV vaccine efficacy trials, despite high baseline levels of risk and a high pregnancy rate. New strategies to identify cohorts of US women for efficacy trials are needed.

Recruitment of urban US women at risk for HIV infection and willingness to participate in future HIV vaccine trials.

Enrollment of US women with sufficient risk of HIV infection into HIV vaccine efficacy trials has proved challenging. A cohort of 799 HIV-negative women, aged 18-45, recruited from three US cities was enrolled to assess recruitment strategies based on geographic risk pockets, social and sexual networks and occurrence of sexual concurrency and to assess HIV seroincidence during follow-up (to be reported later). Among enrolled women, 90 % lived or engaged in risk behaviors within a local risk pocket, 64 % had a male partner who had concurrent partners and 50 % had a male partner who had been recently incarcerated. Nearly half (46 %) were recruited through peer referral. At enrollment, 86 % of women said they were willing to participate in a vaccine efficacy trial. Results indicate that participant and partner risk behaviors combined with a peer referral recruitment strategy may best identify an at-risk cohort willing to participate in future trials.

"Straight Talk" for African-American heterosexual men: results of a single-arm behavioral intervention trial.

In the United States, heterosexual transmission is the second leading cause of HIV/AIDS, and two-thirds of all heterosexually acquired cases diagnosed between 2005 and 2008 occurred among African-Americans. Few HIV prevention interventions have been designed specifically for African-American heterosexual men not seeking clinical treatment. Here we report results of a single-arm intervention trial of a theory-based HIV prevention intervention designed to increase condom use, reduce concurrent partnering and increase HIV testing among heterosexually active African-American men living in high HIV prevalence areas of New York City. We tested our hypothesis using McNemar discordant pairs exact test for binary variables and paired t-tests for continuous variables. We observed statistically significant declines in mean number of total and new female partners, unprotected sex partners, and partner concurrency in both primary and nonprimary sex partnerships between baseline and 3 months postintervention.

Condom use and concurrent partnering among heterosexually active, African American men: a qualitative report.

African Americans are overrepresented among heterosexual cases of HIV/AIDS in the USA. Inconsistent condom use and concurrent partnering are two sexual behaviors driving the heterosexual HIV epidemic in the African American community. To inform the development of an HIV prevention behavioral intervention to decrease concurrent partnering and increase condom use among African American heterosexual men, we conducted formative research, including 61 structured interviews, 5 focus groups with 25 men, and 30 in-depth qualitative interviews between July and December 2009. We used a grounded theoretical approach and categorizing strategies to code and analyze the qualitative data. Results around condom use confirmed earlier findings among heterosexual men in general: condoms diminish pleasure, interfere with erection, and symbolize infidelity. Although valued by some as a form of disease prevention and pregnancy prevention, condoms are often used only with specific types of female partners, such as new or casual partners, or due to visual risk assessment. Sex partner concurrency was described as normative and ascribed to men's "natural" desire to engage in a variety of sexual activities or their high sex drive, with little recognition of the role it plays in the heterosexual HIV epidemic. Fatherhood emerged among many men as a crucial life event and compelling motivation for reducing sexual risk behavior. Based on these results, we conclude that existing HIV prevention efforts to improve attitudes towards and motivate use of condoms either have not reached or have not been successful with African American heterosexual men. In designing behavioral interventions to decrease concurrent partnering and increase condom use, addressing negative attitudes towards condoms and partner risk assessment is critical, as is integrating novel motivational approaches related to identity as fathers and men in the African American community.

Straight talk: HIV prevention for African-American heterosexual men: theoretical bases and intervention design.

In the United States, racial disparities in HIV/AIDS are stark. Although African Americans comprise an estimated 14% of the U.S. population, they made up 52% of new HIV cases among adults and adolescents diagnosed in 2009. Heterosexual transmission is now the second leading cause of HIV in the United States. African Americans made up a full two-thirds of all heterosexually acquired HIV/AIDS cases between 2005 and 2008. Few demonstrated efficacious HIV prevention interventions designed specifically for adult, African-American heterosexual men exist. Here, we describe the process used to design a theory-based HIV prevention intervention to increase condom use, reduce concurrent partnering, and increase HIV testing among heterosexually active African-American men living in high HIV prevalence areas of New York City. The intervention integrated empowerment, social identity, and rational choices theories and focused on four major content areas: HIV/AIDS testing and education; condom skills training; key relational and behavioral turning points; and masculinity and fatherhood.

A randomized trial of enhanced HIV risk-reduction and vaccine trial education interventions among HIV-negative, high-risk women who use noninjection drugs: the UNITY study.

BACKGROUND: Limited data are available on interventions to reduce sexual risk behaviors and increase knowledge of HIV vaccine trial concepts in high-risk populations eligible to participate in HIV vaccine efficacy trials. METHODS: The UNITY Study was a 2-arm randomized trial to determine the efficacy of enhanced HIV risk-reduction and vaccine trial education interventions to reduce the occurrence of unprotected vaginal sex acts and increase HIV vaccine trial knowledge among 311 HIV-negative noninjection drug using women. The enhanced vaccine education intervention using pictures along with application vignettes and enhanced risk-reduction counseling consisting of 3 one-on-one counseling sessions were compared with standard conditions. Follow-up visits at 1 week and 1, 6, and 12 months after randomization included HIV testing and assessment of outcomes. RESULTS: During follow-up, the percent of women reporting sexual risk behaviors declined significantly but did not differ significantly by study arm. Knowledge of HIV vaccine trial concepts significantly increased but did not significantly differ by study arm. Concepts about HIV vaccine trials not adequately addressed by either condition included those related to testing a vaccine for both efficacy and safety, guarantees about participation in future vaccine trials, assurances of safety, medical care, and assumptions about any protective effect of a test vaccine. CONCLUSIONS: Further research is needed to boost educational efforts and strengthen risk-reduction counseling among high-risk noninjection drug using women.

Correlates of anal intercourse vary by partner type among substance-using women: baseline data from the UNITY study.

Data are limited about anal intercourse among women at risk of HIV infection. HIV-negative non-injection drug using women at sexual risk (N = 404) were recruited. At baseline, 41.7% reported anal intercourse in the prior 3 months; of these, 88.2% reported unprotected anal intercourse (UAI). Factors associated with UAI varied by partner type: UAI with a steady partner was associated with younger age, depressive symptoms, and experience of battering; UAI with casual partners was associated with younger age, cocaine use and negative outcome expectancies for condom use; UAI with exchange partners was associated with cocaine use, negative outcome expectancies for condom use and depressive symptoms. Younger women were more likely to report unprotected anal intercourse if they did not use birth control. Specific counseling messages are needed to identify and address this risk and associated factors, including partner relationships, substance use, birth control, mental health issues and domestic violence.

Engaging members of African American and Latino communities in preventive HIV vaccine trials.

BACKGROUND: African Americans (AAs) and Latinos in United States bear a disproportionate burden of HIV infection, yet remain underrepresented in HIV vaccine trials. The success in engaging and enrolling AAs and Latinos in phase 1 and phase 2 vaccine trials at 2 research sites in New York City is described. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 1683 HIV-uninfected individuals who completed > or = 1 stage of the screening process from 2002 to 2006. Data on sociodemographic, behavioral characteristics, medical eligibility, and enrollment in National Institutes of Health-sponsored vaccine trials were collected. RESULTS: 7.5% of screening participants completed enrollment; 33% were AAs, 24% Latinos. The proportion of enrollees did not differ significantly by race/ethnicity. Low-risk vs. high-risk AAs (49% vs. 23%, P = 0.006) and high-risk vs. low-risk Latinos (31% vs. 13%, P = 0.006) were more likely to enroll. Among them, loss to follow-up was the most common reason for not completing screening. In multivariate analysis, older participants, high-risk men, and high-risk women were more likely to complete enrollment. CONCLUSIONS: Once potential minority participants are identified and engaged in the screening process, it is possible to enroll them at rates comparable to white participants. Experience at these sites suggests that the challenge in achieving high rates of minority participation is in increasing the initial pool of candidates prescreening for HIV vaccine studies.

Hepatitis B infection and vaccination among high-risk noninjection drug-using women: baseline data from the UNITY study.

OBJECTIVES: Few studies of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and hepatitis B vaccination have focused on women, and specifically, women who are at high risk. This study was designed to assess the extent of HBV infection and vaccination, level of knowledge about hepatitis B, motivators and barriers to accepting vaccination and uptake of hepatitis B vaccine. DESIGN: From March 2005 to June 2006, 402 HIV-negative noninjection drug-using women at sexual risk were recruited, interviewed, and tested for markers of HBV infection. RESULTS: Based on serologic testing, 16.7% were previously vaccinated against HBV, 31.1% were previously infected and 52.2% were still susceptible to HBV. Knowledge of HBV infection, transmission, and prevention was low with a mean of 6.1 of 12 knowledge items correctly identified as true or false; a substantial percent of women were not sure of the correct answer. Of the women still susceptible, 69.0% started the hepatitis B vaccine series after counseling given through the study. CONCLUSION: This study illustrates that there continues to be gaps in current strategies for administering hepatitis B vaccine among female populations at sexual risk. Interventions are needed for this population to increase awareness and knowledge of hepatitis B, its transmission, impact on health and the availability of a safe and effective vaccine, supplemented by community programs for adult vaccination.