Increases in HIV prevalence indicate ongoing need for HIV interventions. A brief manualized intervention called TCU WaySafe, which addresses multiple HIV risks, was further evaluated to determine how it addressed individual's knowledge deficiencies in the assessed risks. The sample of 1256 offenders in 8 correctional substance abuse treatment programs participated either in treatment as usual (TAU) or TCU WaySafe. From multivariate multi-level analysis, WaySafe was more effective in improving the greatest need area, whether knowledge, motivation, or confidence regarding HIV risky behaviors. Findings underscored the importance of addressing HIV risk areas with greatest need for change and strengthens previous findings of the intervention's potential for individuals with varying HIV risks.
For many Black/African American gay, bisexual, and other young men who have sex with men (B-GBMSM), the House/Ball Community (HBC) offers a social network where they can be free to express diverse sexual and gender identities, but HIV prevalence and stigma are high. The POSSE project is an effectiveness-implementation trial of a popular opinion leader intervention designed to address HIV prevention in the Chicago and Philadelphia HBCs. In June 2016 baseline behavioral data were collected along with HIV, gonorrhea and Chlamydia testing. Eligible participants were sexually-active YMSM or transgender women (TGW), between the ages of 15-24, who self-identified as Black. One-third participants (32.5%) met or exceeded the clinical cut-off for depressive symptoms. Approximately 18% of the participants across both cities reported that they were HIV-positive. Overall, the baseline data establishes the need for HIV and STI prevention interventions across both cities, as well as interventions to address other co-occurring epidemics.
Adolescents of color in urban communities are at high risk for contracting HIV, unlikely to have access to HIV testing services, or any other form of screening services. Using latent class analysis among a sample of African American/Black (48.1%) and Hispanic/Latina(o) (42%) youth (N = 668; M age = 16.30; 51% female), this study examined the association cluster group membership, based on sexual negotiation skills and risk behavior, had on HIV knowledge, perception of risk, and the number of sexual partners. Five distinct cluster groups emerged, with significant heterogeneity observed between cluster groups on select dependent variables. A larger proportion of the study participants were in cluster groups that identified higher levels of sexual negotiation skills; however, variation was present based on risk behaviors. Results provide useful recommendations for research on HIV/AIDS and risk behaviors, as well prevention-intervention programing among urban youth of color.
HIV remains a major health problem in sub-Saharan Africa, and innovations - such as HIV self-testing (HST) - that break down barriers to testing are required to move toward elimination. Four anonymous cross-sectional surveys were conducted assessing HST knowledge and attitudes among sports-based HIV prevention tournament attendees in Nairobi, Kenya. Results suggest HST may increase testing rates in this population. Participants expressed interest in using HST and were willing to use HST as a tool to motivate others. This poses a unique opportunity for a community intervention aimed to increase knowledge of HST, and to increase HIV testing rates using HST kits.
Mothers living with HIV (MLH) must balance childcare, their illness, and oftentimes other mental health problems/stressors. It is important to understand how a maladaptive coping strategy, (alcohol use) is linked to poorer parenting practices. We assessed the relationship between mental health/coping (anxiety, depression, alcohol use, social support) and parenting/family dimensions (communication, parenting style/stress, family routines/cohesion) among 152 MLH. Mothers reporting more psychiatric symptoms and less social support also reported poorer parenting practices and interactions. Further, MLH who used more alcohol reported less parenting involvement and fewer family interactions. Alcohol use, even at subclinical levels, can negatively impact the parent-child relationship.

