HIV Prevention Among At-risk Latinos in the Heartland

Regular HIV Testing and HIV Prevention Among At-Risk Latino Men in the Heartland

This study is a randomized controlled trial that evaluates the efficacy of a network intervention to promote regular HIV testing and prevention (risk reduction and PrEP awareness and referrals) among friendship networks of Latino men who have sex with men and transwomen (LMSMT) in three mid sized Midwestern cities.

To benefit from early HIV diagnosis, the CDC suggests that groups at higher HIV risk get tested regularly. The study will evaluate the efficacy of an intervention to promote regular HIV testing and prevention (risk reduction and PrEP awareness and referrals) among friendship networks of Latino men who have sex with men and transwomen (LMSMT) in three midsized Midwestern cities. The intervention uses the relationships that permeate networks of LMSMT by training well-positioned members to encourage a collective response to the epidemic and to disseminate HIV testing and prevention messages and resources within the network. Thus, we will (a) recruit 36 friendship networks of LMSMT in Milwaukee, Cleveland, and Indianapolis (N ≈ 432); (b) test them for HIV and recommend that they test regularly; (c) invite key members of 18 randomly selected networks to a 4-session training to promote regular HIV testing and prevention in their networks; (d) conduct chart reviews to verify regular testing and PrEP visits and assess regular testing, PrEP visits, and risk behavior and mediators at 6, 12 and 18-month follow up.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Latinx men who have sex with men or transgender women 18 or more years of age.
• Lives in the Milwaukee, Cleveland or Indianapolis area.
• Can provide informed consent.
• Additional inclusion criteria for networks: 80% or more of the network is of Latinx descent.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Cis-gender female.
• Did not have sex with men or identify as homosexual or bisexual.
• Cannot provide consent.