Evaluation of a community-informed multimedia intervention to increase PrEP awareness and intention among African American young adults.

Despite the benefits of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in preventing HIV and its potential for reducing racial/ethnic HIV inequities, PrEP remains underutilized among African Americans who may benefit from it. Factors of PrEP uptake include awareness and acceptability of this prevention strategy among this group, yet few community-informed interventions have been developed and evaluated to address these challenges. Thus, this study evaluates the effectiveness of a community-informed, six-month multimedia campaign (print, digital media, internet radio, social media) for African American young adults (age 18-29) in Louisville, Kentucky to increase PrEP awareness and PrEP use intentions. Pretest surveys, posttest surveys, and digital analytic metrics were used to determine campaign effectiveness. Logistic regressions indicate increased PrEP awareness over time (p ≤ 0.0001) and greater PrEP intention among participants reporting greater campaign affinity (p ≤ 0.05). Campaign digital analytic performance was similar to or exceeded that of industry competitors (e.g., healthcare organizations). Findings indicate that a community-informed multimedia campaign increased PrEP use intentions among those exhibiting greater campaign affinity (the extent to which participants report a favorable view of the campaign) and demonstrated similar or greater effectiveness in digital elements as industry competitors at a cost-effective price. Future studies should incorporate community-engaged approaches in developing health communication products for greater PrEP acceptability and efficiency.Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT0355959.

Post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms and PrEP intentions among Black American young adults at high-risk for HIV.

OBJECTIVES: Black Americans bear the greatest burden of HIV, accounting for 43% of new diagnoses. Yet Black Americans also evidence the lowest utilization rates of Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), a highly effective biomedical strategy for preventing HIV infection. Predictors of PrEP acceptance vary; however, little is known about psychological distress, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, as a predictor. DESIGN: In this cross-sectional study, n = 195 Black Americans, evidencing behaviors found in the research literature to heighten risk for contracting HIV (e.g. sex work, injection drug use) ages 18-29, 55% cisgender women, 39.5% cisgender men, 3% transgender/non-binary, completed audio-computer-assisted self-interviews. RESULTS: Bivariate analyses indicated significant positive associations between PTSD symptoms and PrEP acceptance and self-confidence. In multinomial logistic regression analyses, after controlling for Perceived HIV Risk, participants had a higher likelihood of responding they 'probably would' take PrEP (as opposed to 'definitely would not' take PrEP) if they reported higher levels of PTSD symptoms. Post-hoc analyses revealed a curvilinear relationship between PTSD symptoms and PrEP acceptance with those reporting the highest level of PTSD in the sample having slightly lower PrEP acceptance than those reporting moderately high levels of PTSD. CONCLUSION: Findings are discussed in the context of the negative impacts of high levels of PTSD and potential positive adaptations subsequent to moderate levels of PTSD that could be relevant to advances in HIV prevention efforts.

Predictors of Pre-exposure Prophylaxis Awareness among African American Young Adults in Louisville, Kentucky.

Low pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP; medication to reduce HIV risk among HIV-negative people) awareness may be partially responsible for racial/ethnic differences in treatment uptake. Little research has examined PrEP awareness among African Americans with diverse HIV risk profiles. Audio computer-assisted self-interviews were distributed to 204 African American young adults (age 18-29) demonstrating heightened HIV vulnerability. Chi square analysis and logistic regressions were conducted to determine factors associated with PrEP awareness. While unadjusted logistic regression indicates that age 18-21 years (p<.01), heterosexuality (p<.05), lower education (p<.05), less frequent HIV testing (p<.01), STI diagnosis history (p<.05), not having casual sex (p<.05), and not having a one night stand (p<.01) were associated with decreased PrEP awareness, only heterosexuality (p<.05), lower education (p<.05), and less HIV testing (p<.01) remained significant in adjusted analysis. PrEP-focused education efforts should include outreach across education gradients and sexual orientations. Counselling efforts included with HIV testing may be responsible for accelerating PrEP knowledge among testers.

Community-Informed Development of a Campaign to Increase HIV Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) Awareness Among African-American Young Adults.

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV prevention can help reduce racial/ethnic HIV disparities in the USA. However, the benefits of PrEP have not been equally distributed across races. Community-informed, culturally tailored media has the potential to increase PrEP awareness and acceptability among vulnerable African-American populations. More research is needed to identify media preferences around PrEP for these groups in order to optimize effectiveness of health messaging. This study details the development of a community-informed multimedia (print, digital, Internet radio, website, social media) campaign to increase PrEP awareness among African-American young adults (age 18-29 years). Eleven focus groups with African-American young adults and a community advisory board informed the intervention. Focus group participants expressed concerns with PrEP safety, efficacy, accessibility, the universality of HIV vulnerability, and representation. Campaign elements were then developed based on this feedback. Future studies should examine the effectiveness of culturally tailored multimedia PrEP campaigns.

School dysfunction: evaluative aspects.

Inability of a child to function in a formal school setting necessitates a review of potential physical, mental, emotional, and behavioral etiologies. A thorough, systematic history and examination is expected; the time of onset, age, and grade of the patient helps to narrow the differential diagnosis. A careful assessment should determine the work-up, correct diagnosis, and treatment. Additional primary care physician responsibilities in school dysfunction cases include patient education, family support, and specialist referral, if necessary.

Cerebral palsy: an overview.

The presentation of cerebral palsy can be global mental and physical dysfunction or isolated disturbances in gait, cognition, growth, or sensation. It is the most common childhood physical disability and affects 2 to 2.5 children per 1,000 born in the United States. The differential diagnosis of cerebral palsy includes metabolic and genetic disorders. The goals of treatment are to improve functionality and capabilities toward independence. Multispecialty treatment teams should be developed around the needs of each patient to provide continuously updated global treatment care plans. Complications of cerebral palsy include spasticity and contractures; feeding difficulties; drooling; communication difficulties; osteopenia; osteoporosis; fractures; pain; and functional gastrointestinal abnormalities contributing to bowel obstruction, vomiting, and constipation. Valid and reliable assessment tools to establish baseline functions and monitor developmental gains have contributed to an increasing body of evidenced-based recommendations for cerebral palsy. Many of the historical treatments for this ailment are being challenged, and several new treatment modalities are available. Adult morbidity and mortality from ischemic heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, cancer, and trauma are higher in patients with cerebral palsy than in the general population.