Multidisciplinary providers' perspectives on engaging young black, gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men living with HIV in mental health care services.

Young Black gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (YB-GBMSM) living with HIV are at high risk for psychological stressors and comorbidities. We sought to gain the perspectives of multidisciplinary providers (including HIV care, mental health care, and social service providers) on their experiences with engaging YB-GBMSM in mental health care within comprehensive HIV primary care centers that included both types of services on-site. We conducted qualitative in-depth interviews with fifteen providers in two clinics, and analyzed the qualitative data using a thematic analysis approach. Our participants described high levels of need for mental health services among YB-GBMSM living with HIV, due to psychological challenges related to living with HIV as well as other frequently occurring life stressors. At the same time, barriers to accessing these services were identified, with mental health stigma, under-recognition of symptoms and confidentiality concerns being the most commonly cited. Strategies to improve mental health service uptake in light of these needs and barriers were discussed, including re-framing of mental health services, addressing logistical barriers, and utilization of a biopsychosocial perspective.

Burden and Correlates of Mental Health Symptoms Among Young Black Gay, Bisexual, and Other Men Who Have Sex with Men Engaged in HIV Care in Atlanta.

Mental health comorbidities are prevalent among young Black gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (YB-GBMSM) living with HIV and can adversely impact HIV-related outcomes. We conducted a cross-sectional survey study with 100 YB-GBMSM recruited from two HIV care centers in Atlanta, and constructed multivariable logistic and linear regression models to examine correlates of depression, anxiety, trauma symptoms, and general well-being. In adjusted models, full-time employment was associated with fewer depressive symptoms, while HIV stigma and substance use were associated with higher levels of depressive symptoms. Younger age and full-time employment were negatively associated with severe anxiety, while HIV stigma was positively associated with severe anxiety and trauma symptoms. Trust in physicians, lower HIV stigma, full-time employment, and lack of substance use were associated with higher average general well-being scores. In conclusion, we found high frequency of depressive, anxiety, and trauma-related symptoms among this sample of YB-GBMSM living with HIV. Unemployment, substance use, and HIV stigma emerged as particularly salient correlates of psychological morbidity, suggesting a need for structural and community-level interventions to address mental health in this population.

Feasibility and acceptability of B6: a social capital program for young Black gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men living with HIV.

Young Black gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (YB-GBMSM) are disproportionately burdened by HIV and often exhibit suboptimal engagement in HIV care. With the goal of increasing engagement in HIV care, we designed a culturally specific, theory-based group-level program, Brothers Building Brothers by Breaking Barriers (B6), which aimed to strengthen resilience and social capital among YB-GBMSM living with HIV. We conducted a pilot trial to evaluate the program's acceptability and feasibility. Through clinic-based recruitment and community outreach events, we recruited and enrolled 71 YB-GBMSM into the study. Participants were randomized to either the B6 program or a control comparison program. Post-session evaluation surveys and in-depth qualitative interviews showed B6 to have high levels of acceptability and satisfaction. Specifically, participants described benefits to interacting in a group with other YB-GBMSM, and several described increased comfort with their own gay identities after participation. No adverse events or safety concerns were reported. However, there were challenges to feasibility, as reflected in recruitment and retention rates. The B6 program was highly acceptable among YB-GBMSM living with HIV; however, innovative program delivery methods and implementation strategies will be needed to improve recruitment and retention in future implementation of B6.

Understanding social capital among young black gay and bisexual men living with HIV: a qualitative exploration.

Social capital, defined as the sum of an individual's resource-containing, reciprocal and trustworthy social network connections, has been associated with improved engagement in care among people living with HIV globally. We conducted a qualitative interview study of social capital among 28 young Black gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men ages 18-29 living with HIV in Atlanta, Georgia. We asked participants about bonding capital (relationships between individuals with similar demographic characteristics), bridging capital (relationships with individuals of different backgrounds), collective efficacy (involvement with community organisations) and satisfaction with their social networks. We found that participants described bonding capital from friends and family in depth, while more gaps were noted in bridging capital and collective efficacy. Bonding capital derived from families was especially critical to participants' satisfaction with their social capital. Findings suggest that interventions targeting young Black gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men should build upon strong bonds with family and friends, and/or fill gaps in bridging capital and collective efficacy by connecting young men to mentors and organisations.

Pre-implementation planning to enhance integration of HIV and behavioral health care services at two Ryan White-funded HIV care centers.

Behavioral health conditions are disproportionately experienced by people living with Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), including young Black gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM). Left unaddressed, these symptoms can adversely impact HIV care outcomes. Improving the integration of behavioral health and HIV care services has been proposed as a strategy to address this challenge. To conduct a pre-implementation study exploring barriers and facilitators to improving HIV and behavioral health care integration at two HIV clinics in Atlanta, Georgia. We conducted a mixed-methods study guided by the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR). Sixty (60) HIV care providers, behavioral health care providers, and social service providers participated in cross-sectional surveys, and a subset of survey participants (15) also participated in a qualitative in-depth interview to explore CFIR constructs in greater depth. We focused on Intervention Characteristics, Outer Setting, and Inner Setting as the most relevant CFIR domains. Within each of these domains, we identified both facilitators and barriers to improving HIV and behavioral care integration in the two clinics. Participants agreed that enhancing integration would provide a relative advantage over current practice, would address young Black GBMSM and other patient needs, and would be compatible with the organizational mission. However, they also expressed concerns about complexity, resource availability, and priority relative to other clinic initiatives. Participants were enthusiastic about improving care integration but also invoked practical challenges to translating this idea into practice. Future research should test specific implementation strategies and their potential effectiveness for improving the integration of behavioral health and HIV care, as a strategy for improving well-being among young Black GBMSM and other people living with HIV.

People living with Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), including young Black gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men, often experience challenges related to behavioral health. We did a study to explore barriers and facilitators to improving the integration of behavioral health and HIV services at two HIV clinics in Atlanta, Georgia. Our study included interviews and surveys with sixty care providers. Participants shared that improving care integration was a good idea and would address patients' needs. However, they also expressed concerns about challenges that might get in the way of integrating care effectively. Future research should test different ways of improving care integration in these types of settings.

Examining HIV Organizational Structures and their Influence on Engagement with Young Black Gay, Bisexual, and other Men who have Sex with Men in Atlanta, Georgia.

Young Black gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (YB-GBMSM) are disproportionately impacted by HIV. Structural influences on these disparities, including characteristics of the various organizations that serve YB-GBMSM living with HIV, remain understudied. We drew on Weick's model of organizing to conduct and analyze qualitative interviews with 28 HIV service providers representing healthcare and community-based organizations in Atlanta, Georgia. Enactment of HIV service provision was described as following simplified and standardized responses-defined as "rules", and/or more dynamic exchanges to formulate responses -otherwise known as "communication behavior cycles" (CBCs). Rules, including patient quotas and limited hours of operation, were viewed as rigid, out-of-touch, and inhibiting engagement with YB-GBMSM. CBCs, such as patient feedback loops and rejection of traditional hierarchies, fostered creative insights to combating the epidemic and increased levels of cultural awareness and community buy-in. Organizations should strive to enact CBCs, to foster culturally congruent approaches to service delivery for YB-GBMSM.

Preferences of Young Black Gay, Bisexual, and Other Men Who Have Sex with Men Regarding Integration of HIV and Mental Health Care Services.

Optimization of mental health service use is critical to HIV care engagement among young Black gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (YB-GBMSM). Clinic-level interventions to integrate HIV and mental health services have been proposed; however, patient perspectives on such care models are often lacking. We conducted a mixed-methods study consisting of surveys (N = 100) and qualitative in-depth interviews (n = 15) with YB-GBMSM recruited from two Ryan White-funded HIV clinics in Atlanta, Georgia. Most participants (70%) agreed that integration of HIV and mental health services was beneficial to them. Thirty-six percent (36%) desired a higher level of integration than what they perceived was currently available in their clinic setting, 51% believed their clinic was already optimally integrated, and 13% preferred less integration. In the qualitative interviews, participants discussed their support for potential integration strategies such as training HIV providers to prescribe antidepressants, closer in-clinic proximity of HIV and mental health providers, and use of patient navigators to help patients access mental health care and remind them of appointments. Perceived benefits of care integration included easier access to mental health services, enhanced overall well-being, and improved HIV care engagement. In summary, YB-GBMSM were supportive of integrating HIV and mental health services, with varying individual preferences regarding the degree and operationalization of this integration. Improving integration of mental health and HIV services, and tailoring modes of service delivery to individual preferences, has the potential to improve both general well-being and HIV care engagement in this high priority population.

An Intervention for the Transition From Pediatric or Adolescent to Adult-Oriented HIV Care: Protocol for the Development and Pilot Implementation of iTransition.

BACKGROUND: In the United States, adolescents and young adults are disproportionately affected by HIV and have poorer HIV-related health outcomes than adults. Health care transition (HCT) from pediatric or adolescent to adult-oriented HIV care is associated with disruptions to youths' care retention, medication adherence, and viral suppression. However, no evidence-based interventions exist to improve HCT outcomes for youth living with HIV. OBJECTIVE: There are 2 phases of this project. Phase 1 involves the iterative development and usability testing of a Social Cognitive Theory-based mobile health (mHealth) HIV HCT intervention (iTransition). In phase 2, we will conduct a pilot implementation trial to assess iTransition's feasibility and acceptability and to establish preliminary efficacy among youth and provider participants. METHODS: The iterative phase 1 development process will involve in-person and virtual meetings and a design team comprising youth living with HIV and health care providers. The design team will both inform the content and provide feedback on the look, feel, and process of the iTransition intervention. In phase 2, we will recruit 100 transition-eligible youth across two clinical sites in Atlanta, Georgia, and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to participate in the historical control group (n=50; data collection only) or the intervention group (n=50) in a pilot implementation trial. We will also recruit 28 provider participants across the pediatric or adolescent and adult clinics at the two sites. Data collection will include electronic medical chart abstraction for clinical outcomes as well as surveys and interviews related to demographic and behavioral characteristics; Social Cognitive Theory constructs; and intervention feasibility, acceptability, and use. Analyses will compare historical control and intervention groups in terms of HCT outcomes, including adult care linkage (primary), care retention, and viral suppression (secondary). Interview data will be analyzed using content analysis to understand the experience with use and acceptability. RESULTS: Phase 1 (development) of iTransition research activities began in November 2019 and is ongoing. The data collection for the phase 2 pilot implementation trial is expected to be completed in January 2023. Final results are anticipated in summer 2023. CONCLUSIONS: The development and pilot implementation trial of the iTransition intervention will fill an important gap in understanding the role of mHealth interventions to support HCT outcomes for youth living with HIV. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/24565.

Mental Health Service Utilization Among Young Black Gay, Bisexual, and Other Men Who Have Sex with Men in HIV Care: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Young Black gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (YB-GBMSM) face multiple psychosocial stressors, and are disproportionately impacted by HIV. Mental health care engagement is a promising avenue for addressing these disparities. To date, rates of mental health service utilization have not been examined specifically in this population. We conducted a retrospective cohort study among YB-GBMSM receiving care in a Ryan White-funded HIV care center that includes co-located HIV and mental health services. Of 435 unique YB-GBMSM patients, mental health concerns were identified in n = 191 (43.9%). Depressive symptoms were the most common concerns identified, followed by substance use, anxiety, and trauma. Among patients with identified mental health concerns who were not previously in mental health care, 79.1% were referred to mental health care, 56.3% set an appointment with a mental health provider, 40.5% were linked to mental health care (attended an initial visit), and 19.6% remained engaged in mental health care. Younger YB-GBMSM (age 18-24 years), who received care in a more integrated pediatric/adolescent part of the center, were more likely to have an appointment set once a concern was identified (χ2 = 7.17; p = 0.007). Even in a setting with co-located HIV and mental health care services, we found significant gaps in engagement at each stage of a newly described mental health care continuum. Implications for intervention at the provider and systems levels are discussed.