Exploring the preferences of a culturally congruent, peer-based HIV prevention intervention for black men who have sex with men

Abstract

HIV testing, treatment initiation and treatment adherence have been emphasised for Black men who have sex with men (BMSM). However, many BMSM do not get tested, obtain HIV treatment or adhere to treatment. It is essential to highlight barriers to HIV testing, treatment adherence and the ideal components for an intervention: peer mentors, socioeconomic resources and participant incentives. Five focus groups (n = 24) were conducted among HIV-negative and HIV-positive BMSM aged ≥18 years in Los Angeles, California, USA to explore motivations and barriers to testing and treatment and the components of an ideal, culturally competent HIV testing intervention for BMSM. Barriers to HIV testing included fear and stigma associated with discovering a HIV-positive status and drug use. Motivations for testing included experiencing symptoms, beginning new relationships, perceptions of risk and peer mentors. Future HIV prevention and treatment efforts should consider these components to improve health outcomes among BMSM.

Conducting Virtual, Synchronous Focus Groups Among Black Sexual Minority Men: Qualitative Study

“…Focus groups use within-group perspectives, discussions, and interactions to gather information about collective views on a topic [ 8 , 10 ]. Individual in-depth interviews gather detailed, personal information regarding topics that are sensitive or about which little is known [ 11 ], while focus groups leverage group dynamics to identify community views and design culturally relevant interventions [ 8 , 11 ].…”

“…Individual in-depth interviews gather detailed, personal information regarding topics that are sensitive or about which little is known [ 11 ], while focus groups leverage group dynamics to identify community views and design culturally relevant interventions [ 8 , 11 ]. Studies using focus groups have uncovered nuanced sociocultural experiences, such as how the combined impact of racism, homonegativity, and stigma from society, family, and health care providers create barriers to HIV prevention behaviors among BSMM [ 8 , 10 , 12 ]. Focus group data have also revealed how psychosocial factors, such as medical mistrust, inhibit participation in prevention activities, HIV treatment, and research among BSMM [ 8 , 12 , 13 ].…”

Methodological considerations for conducting focus groups in HIV prevention research among Black men who have sex with men

“…Focus groups are helpful by explicitly using the group interactions to gather information about community attitudes or perceptions of a topic (Kitzinger, ). Studies have used focus groups among BMSM to highlight sociocultural experiences such as racism, homonegativity, and stigma from family and health care providers, all of which create barriers to HIV prevention and optimal sexual health (Cahill et al, ; Dangerfield II, Harawa, McWells, Hilliard, & Bluthenthal, ; Han, Lauby, Bond, LaPollo, & Rutledge, ; Voisin, Bird, Shiu, & Krieger, ).…”

“…The capacity for recent biomedical HIV prevention approaches such as pre‐exposure prophylaxis (Anderson et al, ; CDC, ) and HIV treatment adherence (Attia, Egger, Müller, Zwahlen, & Low, ; Rodger et al, ) could be expanded if the target population most impacted by HIV is actively engaged in the development and implementation of these strategies (Magnus et al, ; Mayer et al, ). Studies have documented how medical mistrust among BMSM inhibits optimal participation in prevention behaviors, HIV treatment, and research (Cahill et al, ; Dale, Bogart, Wagner, Galvan, & Klein, ; Dangerfield II et al, ; Magnus et al, ; Mays, Cochran, & Zamudio, ). There has been an increased use of focus groups as a research method to elicit richer data and develop interventions for BMSM (Cahill et al, ; Dangerfield II et al, ; Harawa et al, ; Holloway et al, ; Hussen et al, ).…”

“…Studies have documented how medical mistrust among BMSM inhibits optimal participation in prevention behaviors, HIV treatment, and research (Cahill et al, ; Dale, Bogart, Wagner, Galvan, & Klein, ; Dangerfield II et al, ; Magnus et al, ; Mays, Cochran, & Zamudio, ). There has been an increased use of focus groups as a research method to elicit richer data and develop interventions for BMSM (Cahill et al, ; Dangerfield II et al, ; Harawa et al, ; Holloway et al, ; Hussen et al, ). However, while researchers have provided recommendations for other subpopulations (Halcomb et al, ; Jarrett, ; Kennedy, Kools, & Krueger, ), the literature describing good practice for designing and facilitating focus group discussions among BMSM is lacking.…”