scholarly journals Barriers and Facilitators to Seeking HIV Services in Chicago Among Young Men Who Have Sex with Men: Perspectives of HIV Service Providers

2018 ◽  
Vol 32 (11) ◽  
pp. 468-476 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lauren B. Beach ◽  
George J. Greene ◽  
Peter Lindeman ◽  
Amy K. Johnson ◽  
Christian N. Adames ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Service Providers ◽  
Young Men ◽  
Barriers And Facilitators ◽  
Hiv Services ◽  
Sex With Men ◽  
Hiv Service Providers

Adaptation of a theory-based social networking and gamified app-based intervention to improve PrEP adherence among young men who have sex with men in Bangkok, Thailand (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wipaporn Natalie Songtaweesin ◽  
Sara LeGrand ◽  
Shashika Bandara ◽  
Caitlin Piccone ◽  
Prissana Wongharn ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Service Providers ◽  
Young Men ◽  
The United States ◽  
Full Time ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
National Guidelines ◽  
Facilitators And Barriers ◽  
The Government ◽  
Sex With Men ◽  
Mhealth Apps

BACKGROUND In Thailand, HIV disproportionately affects men who have sex with men (MSM). Recent studies indicate a high incidence and prevalence of HIV in Bangkok among MSM, with higher risk of infection for young men who have sex with men (YMSM). Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is a safe and efficacious method for preventing transmission of HIV. The Thai national guidelines have recommended PrEP since 2014 for key poulations nationwide and the government has piloted free PrEP coverage since October 2019. Smartphone based mHealth interventions provide an optimal platform to deliver innovative PrEP adherence interventions for Thai YMSM. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to conduct formative research to adapt the P3 (Prepared, Protected, emPowered) app, developed with MSM and transwomen in the United States to improve PrEP adherence and persistence, for YMSM in the Thai context. METHODS We conducted focus group discussions (FGDs) with YMSM and key informant interviews (KIIs) with PrEP care providers in Bangkok, Thailand to better understand: a) PrEP adherence facilitators and barriers b) preferences for functions and features in mHealth apps among YMSM; and c) how to best adapt the P3 app to the Thai context. We conducted 4 FGDs with 4-8 participants per group and 15 KIIs in Bangkok, Thailland. RESULTS For FGDs, a total of 23 YMSM participated with a mean age of 20 years (range 18-21), 96% enrolled in full-time education, and all owned smartphones. The mean age of KII participants was 40 (range 26-60); most were publicly employed health service providers with the majority of them being counselors (40%) and physicians (40%). Overall, the facilitators and barriers for PrEP adherence identified were similar to those of MSM and YMSM in the US and other parts of the world. Key themes included general recommendations for improving mHealth apps in Thailand, such as presenting reliable information in an appealing format, minimizing privacy risks, and addressing connectivity challenges. Additional themes focused on P3T adaptations and were related to cultural and stylistic preferences, engagement strategies, and recommendations for new functions. To develop the adapted app, P3 Thailand (P3T), these findings were balanced with resource limitations resulting in prioritization of minor modifications in app aesthetics and changes in the presentation and content of information in two of the app’s features. CONCLUSIONS The core features of the P3 app address the main PrEP facilitators and barriers for Thai YMSM, However, substantive changes to the stylistic presentation and content were needed to appropriately tailor and customize the app for the Thai context. Based on the similarities of facilitators and barriers for PrEP adherence globally, adapting existing PrEP mHealth solutions based on input from end-users and key informants provides a promising way forward. However, partnerships with local app designers and developers could improve the adaptation process and final product. CLINICALTRIAL ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04413708

scholarly journals Making Informed Decisions: How Attitudes and Perceptions Affect the Use of Crystal, Cocaine, and Ecstasy among Young Men Who Have Sex with Men

2007 ◽  
Vol 37 (3) ◽  
pp. 643-672 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katrina Kubicek ◽  
Bryce McDavitt ◽  
Julie Carpineto ◽  
George Weiss ◽  
Ellen F. Iverson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Substance Use ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Young Men ◽  
Ethnically Diverse ◽  
Club Drugs ◽  
Crystal Methamphetamine ◽  
Negative Attitudes ◽  
Attitudes And Perceptions ◽  
Sex With Men ◽  
Qualitative Phase

Although the use of illicit substances, particularly those commonly categorized as “club drugs”, among men who have sex with men (MSM), is well established in the literature, little is known about the decision making process that is used in deciding whether or not to use a particular substance. In this study, we examine the positive and negative attitudes and perceptions among young men who have sex with men (YMSM) in regards to three specific drugs: crystal methamphetamine, cocaine, and ecstasy. The findings reported here emerged from the baseline quantitative interviews and an accompanying qualitative phase of the Healthy Young Men's study (HYM), a longitudinal study examining risk and protective factors for substance use and sexual risk among an ethnically diverse sample of YMSM. Findings are discussed in relation to framing how service providers and others can design new and innovative interventions to prevent young men from initiating substance use.

scholarly journals A Qualitative Study of Young Men Who Have Sex With Men and Multilevel Factors Related to HIV Risks in Malaysia

2018 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 85-95 ◽  
Author(s):  
William J. Burch ◽  
Graham J. Hart ◽  
Sin How Lim
Keyword(s):  
Sex Education ◽  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Internalized Homophobia ◽  
Young Men ◽  
Individual Risk ◽  
Local Service ◽  
Hiv Risks ◽  
Semistructured Interviews ◽  
Sex With Men

Young men who have sex with men (YMSM) are a group at high risk for HIV infection, yet no research has been conducted to understand this population in Malaysia. Semistructured interviews from a combination of YMSM aged 18–25 (n = 20) and local service providers of sexual health services (n = 4) were conducted from May to June 2015. Thematic analysis was used to identify common themes in participant responses from transcripts. Participants reported societal and internalized homophobia, an absence of sex education and difficulty accessing confidential HIV testing. This study provides insights into how homophobia in Malaysian society influences individual risk behavior for HIV in Malaysian YMSM, and makes practical suggestions for more effective HIV prevention in this population.

scholarly journals Barriers and facilitators to HIV testing among young men who have sex with men and transgender women in Kingston, Jamaica: a qualitative study

2017 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 21385 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carmen H. Logie ◽  
Ashley Lacombe-Duncan ◽  
Natasha Brien ◽  
Nicolette Jones ◽  
Nakia Lee-Foon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Hiv Testing ◽  
Young Men ◽  
Transgender Women ◽  
Barriers And Facilitators ◽  
Sex With Men

Love and Intimacy as Vulnerability to HIV Infection: A Case Study of MSM

2016 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Archana Kaushik
Keyword(s):  
Hiv Infection ◽  
Cultural Values ◽  
Sexual Behaviors ◽  
Sex Workers ◽  
Sexual Minorities ◽  
Suicide Attempts ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Structural Barriers ◽  
Health Seeking ◽  
Sex With Men

Sexual minorities are among the most marginalized groups in the society. Sero-positivity accentuates social exclusion among the sexual minorities. The paper aims to appraise the factors that make Men who have Sex with Men (MSM) vulnerable to HIV infection and influence their health seeking behaviors. It highlights two major domains socio-cultural and interpersonal variables. Qualitative in nature and based on ten in-depth case studies of HIV infected MSM, the study is located in Delhi, India. Factors such as age, marital status, child sexual abuse, multiple sex partners, are crucial in influencing their vulnerability. Socio-cultural milieu puts structural barriers restricting integration of MSM in the society. Cultural values do not allow talking about sex, which hampers healthy sexual behaviors. Exhibiting aggression, sexual violence, visiting sex-workers etc. are considered as important aspects to prove manhood. At the interpersonal level, possessiveness, betrayal, infidelity, heartbreak, strong emotional whirlpool when love-relations go incongruent, all takes a heavy toll of their mental and physical health. These variables socially exclude the sexual minorities from the mainstream life. Findings show positive (disclosing to family, abstinence, spiritual growth) and negative (suicide-attempts, drug-use) ways of coping among the MSM respondents. Critical areas of concern for service-providers while planning interventions for empowering people with sexual minority are delineated.

scholarly journals Barriers and Facilitators to Promoting Resilience to HIV/AIDS: A Qualitative Study on the Lived Experiences of HIV-Positive, Racial and Ethnic Minority, Middle-Aged and Older Men Who Have Sex with Men from Ontario, Canada

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (15) ◽  
pp. 8084
Author(s):  
Renato M. Liboro ◽  
Sherry Bell ◽  
Brandon Ranuschio ◽  
Lianne Barnes ◽  
Jenna Despres ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Ethnic Minority ◽  
Lived Experiences ◽  
Barriers And Facilitators ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Middle Aged ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Sex With Men ◽  
Racial And Ethnic Minority ◽  
Hiv Aids

Evidence-based research has highlighted the need for exploring factors that support the mental health of men who have sex with men living with HIV/AIDS (MSMLWH), and environmental influences that promote their resilience to HIV/AIDS. This exploratory study utilized a community-based participatory research approach to investigate barriers and facilitators to promoting resilience to HIV/AIDS, specifically among racial and ethnic minority, middle-aged and older MSMLWH, a population that continues to be significantly impacted by HIV/AIDS today. This collaborative, qualitative study recruited participants who identified as racial or ethnic minority MSMLWH, were aged 40 or older, and resided in Ontario, Canada. Participants (n = 24) discussed in their interviews barriers and facilitators to promoting resilience to HIV/AIDS, which they recognized from their lived experiences. Utilizing thematic analysis, themes related to barriers and facilitators to promoting resilience to HIV/AIDS were identified. Themes related to identified barriers included: (1) language proficiency, (2) racism, (3) pernicious norms in North American gay culture, and (4) HIV stigma. Themes related to identified facilitators included: (1) compartmentalization, (2) perseverance, and (3) community-based health and social services. This article discusses the implications of the study’s findings, particularly on how they may influence the development of future services for racial and ethnic minority, middle-aged and older MSMLWH.

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