In an earlier study, the study team carried out an HIV/Sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing approach which found men who have sex with men (MSM) at-risk of getting or spreading HIV in online spaces and linked them to testing services on a mobile van. The goal of this present study is to add on to this approach by connecting participants (MSM aged 18-49 residing in the Baltimore area) with a peer health navigator to support them with getting pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) or HIV care services after testing. Researchers will compare using a peer health navigator approach to using a referrals-only approach to get PrEP or HIV care services. Participants will be assigned to either Arm A (group that receives peer health navigator help) or Arm B (group that gets referred) to get PrEP or HIV care.
In the SS4SH pilot study, utilizing a data-driven approach in partnership with the local health department, the investigators analyzed local public health surveillance data to identify online sex partner meeting spaces frequently reported by (majority Black) MSM newly diagnosed with HIV and/or syphilis. The identified online spaces were used to advertise mobile van HIV/STI testing for MSM \> 18 years of age and less than 49 years of age over a 14-month period. The strategy and advertisements were informed by a community advisory board (CAB) of MSM hosted at a local Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ) community-based organization to ensure local relevance, acceptability and feasibility.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
HEALTH_SERVICES_RESEARCH
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
100
Using peer health navigators to support linkage to HIV prevention and treatment resources among Black MSM in online spaces following mobile testing.
Johns Hopkins School of Medicine
Baltimore, Maryland, United States
NOT_YET_RECRUITINGJohns Hopkins
Baltimore, Maryland, United States
RECRUITINGFeasibility of adding care linkage assessed by retention rate
Feasibility of adding care linkage will be measured based on the retention rate during follow-up period of Arm A participants in need of PrEP/HIV care linkage. Retention rate of 75% will be used as a feasibility threshold. Linkage is defined as completing a PrEP/HIV care related medical visit within 30 days of enrollment.
Time frame: 6 weeks
Acceptability as assessed by participant satisfaction
A satisfaction rate of 75% or greater will be used as the acceptability threshold.
Time frame: 6 weeks
Acceptability as assessed by number of participants with intent to repeat use of SS4SH
Acceptability will be measured as intention for repeat use of SS4SH testing/care linkage modality.
Time frame: 6 weeks
Effectiveness as assessed by the number of Black MSM linked to HIV/PrEP
Preliminary data on effectiveness will be assessed by number of Black MSM linked to HIV care and PrEP within 30 days of enrollment. Linkage is defined as completing a PrEP/HIV care related medical visit.
Time frame: 30 days
Effectiveness as assessed by number of Black MSM lost to followup
Preliminary data on Effectiveness assessed by number of Black MSM lost to follow up. Linkage is defined as completing a PrEP/HIV care related medical visit.
Time frame: 30 days
Reach/awareness of the geotargeted advertisement campaign assessed by cost per 1,000 impressions (CPM)
Defined by impressions, cost per 1,000 impressions (CPM)
Time frame: 12 weeks
Website traffic of the geotargeted advertisement campaign assessed by cost per click (CPC)
Defined by clicks, cost per click (CPC)
Time frame: 12 weeks
Cost per action conversion rate of the geotargeted advertisement campaign
Actions will include website actions (view schedule, scheduling appointments) and van actions (HIV/STI testing)
Time frame: 12 weeks
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