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Bundy C, Xavier Hall CD, Foran JE, Jozsa K, Newcomb ME, Mustanski B. Reassessing the Importance of PrEP Use Given Reduced Sex During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Perspectives From a Sample of Young Sexual Minority Men. AIDS Educ Prev 2022; 34:441-452. [PMID: 36454133 PMCID: PMC9979445 DOI: 10.1521/aeap.2022.34.6.441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Research has begun to examine sexual behavior during the COVID-19 pandemic using quantitative methods, but less is known about the context surrounding these changes using qualitative methods, including corresponding changes in risk reduction methods. This qualitative study, guided by the Integrated Behavioral Model, examines the pandemic's impact on PrEP adherence among young men who have sex with men in Chicago. PrEP-using participants from a cohort study were recruited into a 90-day diary study measuring sexual behaviors and PrEP use. Between April and September 2020, a subset of participants was recruited for qualitative interviews (n = 28) exploring prevention strategies, including the impact of the pandemic. Although most were highly adherent pre-pandemic, many took fewer pills or discontinued during the pandemic due to decreased sex. Findings suggest the importance of counseling for PrEP reinitiation as "seasons of HIV risk" increase, as well as use of telehealth as a facilitator of PrEP use throughout the pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camille Bundy
- Northwestern University Institute for Sexual and Gender Minority Health and Wellbeing, Chicago, IL
| | - Casey D. Xavier Hall
- Northwestern University Institute for Sexual and Gender Minority Health and Wellbeing, Chicago, IL
- Department of Medical Social Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL
| | - James E. Foran
- Northwestern University Institute for Sexual and Gender Minority Health and Wellbeing, Chicago, IL
| | - Kyle Jozsa
- Northwestern University Institute for Sexual and Gender Minority Health and Wellbeing, Chicago, IL
| | - Michael E. Newcomb
- Northwestern University Institute for Sexual and Gender Minority Health and Wellbeing, Chicago, IL
- Department of Medical Social Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL
| | - Brian Mustanski
- Northwestern University Institute for Sexual and Gender Minority Health and Wellbeing, Chicago, IL
- Department of Medical Social Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL
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Newcomb ME, Sarno EL, Bettin E, Conway A, Carey J, Garcia C, Hill R, Jozsa K, Swann G, Addington EL, Ciolino JD, Macapagal K, Moskowitz JT, Mustanski B, Whitton SW. Protocol for an attention-matched randomized controlled trial of 2GETHER: a relationship education and HIV prevention program for young male couples. Trials 2022; 23:514. [PMID: 35725624 PMCID: PMC9207885 DOI: 10.1186/s13063-022-06457-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2021] [Accepted: 06/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Young men who have sex with men (YMSM) are disproportionately impacted by the HIV epidemic in the USA, and a large number of new infections among YMSM occur in the context of main or primary partnerships. At the same time, healthy romantic relationships promote health and wellbeing by improving social support and encouraging healthy behaviors. Thus, we created 2GETHER: a relationship education and HIV prevention program for young male couples. 2GETHER is delivered face-to-face in a university setting and is composed of two group sessions and two individualized skills coaching sessions. We observed strong support of the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of 2GETHER in a pilot trial. METHODS We are conducting an attention-matched randomized controlled trial (RCT) to test the efficacy of 2GETHER relative to a control condition based on a well-validated positive affect enhancement program. Enrollment occurred between August 2017 and March 2021 in Chicago and surrounding areas, and we enrolled and randomized 128 dyads (N = 256 individuals). Follow-up is ongoing and we will examine primary and secondary behavioral outcomes at 12 months post-intervention, with interim follow-up at 3, 6, and 9 months post-intervention. The primary biomedical outcome is sexually transmitted infection incidence at a 12-month follow-up. DISCUSSION 2GETHER is innovative in that it places an equal emphasis on relationship skill building and HIV prevention. Thus, the program has the potential to impact numerous health-related outcomes. Despite challenges related to the recruitment of couples and the COVID-19 pandemic, we were able to enroll a robust sample of young male couples with sufficient power to detect effects on study outcomes. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03186534 .
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael E. Newcomb
- grid.16753.360000 0001 2299 3507Institute for Sexual and Gender Minority Health and Wellbeing, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL USA ,grid.16753.360000 0001 2299 3507Department of Medical Social Sciences, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL USA
| | - Elissa L. Sarno
- grid.16753.360000 0001 2299 3507Institute for Sexual and Gender Minority Health and Wellbeing, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL USA ,grid.16753.360000 0001 2299 3507Department of Medical Social Sciences, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL USA
| | - Emily Bettin
- grid.16753.360000 0001 2299 3507Institute for Sexual and Gender Minority Health and Wellbeing, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL USA ,grid.16753.360000 0001 2299 3507Department of Medical Social Sciences, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL USA
| | - Adam Conway
- grid.16753.360000 0001 2299 3507Institute for Sexual and Gender Minority Health and Wellbeing, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL USA ,grid.16753.360000 0001 2299 3507Department of Medical Social Sciences, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL USA
| | - James Carey
- grid.16753.360000 0001 2299 3507Institute for Sexual and Gender Minority Health and Wellbeing, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL USA ,grid.16753.360000 0001 2299 3507Department of Medical Social Sciences, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL USA
| | - Christopher Garcia
- grid.16753.360000 0001 2299 3507Institute for Sexual and Gender Minority Health and Wellbeing, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL USA ,grid.16753.360000 0001 2299 3507Department of Medical Social Sciences, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL USA
| | - Ricky Hill
- grid.16753.360000 0001 2299 3507Institute for Sexual and Gender Minority Health and Wellbeing, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL USA
| | - Kyle Jozsa
- grid.16753.360000 0001 2299 3507Institute for Sexual and Gender Minority Health and Wellbeing, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL USA
| | - Gregory Swann
- grid.16753.360000 0001 2299 3507Institute for Sexual and Gender Minority Health and Wellbeing, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL USA ,grid.16753.360000 0001 2299 3507Department of Medical Social Sciences, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL USA
| | - Elizabeth L. Addington
- grid.16753.360000 0001 2299 3507Department of Medical Social Sciences, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL USA
| | - Jody D. Ciolino
- grid.16753.360000 0001 2299 3507Department of Preventive Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL USA
| | - Kathryn Macapagal
- grid.16753.360000 0001 2299 3507Institute for Sexual and Gender Minority Health and Wellbeing, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL USA ,grid.16753.360000 0001 2299 3507Department of Medical Social Sciences, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL USA
| | - Judith T. Moskowitz
- grid.16753.360000 0001 2299 3507Department of Medical Social Sciences, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL USA
| | - Brian Mustanski
- grid.16753.360000 0001 2299 3507Institute for Sexual and Gender Minority Health and Wellbeing, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL USA ,grid.16753.360000 0001 2299 3507Department of Medical Social Sciences, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL USA
| | - Sarah W. Whitton
- grid.24827.3b0000 0001 2179 9593Department of Psychology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH USA
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Jozsa K, Kraus A, Korpak AK, Birnholtz J, Moskowitz DA, Macapagal K. "Safe Behind My Screen": Adolescent Sexual Minority Males' Perceptions of Safety and Trustworthiness on Geosocial and Social Networking Apps. Arch Sex Behav 2021; 50:2965-2980. [PMID: 34581948 DOI: 10.1007/s10508-021-01962-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2020] [Revised: 02/12/2021] [Accepted: 02/16/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Dating and social media application ("app") use for sexual and romantic partner-seeking is increasingly ubiquitous among adolescent sexual minorities assigned male at birth (ASMM). Previous work suggests that ASMM use the Internet, including apps, for normative aspects of sexual identity exploration and development. However, there may be risks associated with their use of sexualized apps designed for adults and with sexual interaction with adult app users. Little is known about how they assess and mitigate risk or gauge the trustworthiness of potential partners on such apps. We recruited ASMM in the U.S. (N = 268; ages 15-18 years, mean age = 16.9) to complete an online survey with open- and closed-ended questions about their perceptions of safety and trustworthiness of others while using apps to find partners. Participants perceived various risks on apps (e.g., physical harm, being "catfished") but did not appear to have clear strategies for measuring or mitigating it. They often assessed trustworthiness by observing other users' behavior or profiles. Participants frequently described interacting with older app users as risky or untrustworthy. Sexual health risks were seldom mentioned and the legal risks of sexual interaction with adults were never mentioned. Although app use may meet some of ASMM's sexual development needs, they may lack the knowledge and skills to do so safely in sexualized online adult spaces. These findings suggest that sex education for sexual minority adolescents should address online sexual safety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyle Jozsa
- Department of Medical Social Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 625 N. Michigan Avenue, Suite 1400, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
- Institute for Sexual and Gender Minority Health and Wellbeing, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Ashley Kraus
- Department of Medical Social Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 625 N. Michigan Avenue, Suite 1400, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
- Institute for Sexual and Gender Minority Health and Wellbeing, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Aaron K Korpak
- Department of Medical Social Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 625 N. Michigan Avenue, Suite 1400, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
- Institute for Sexual and Gender Minority Health and Wellbeing, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Jeremy Birnholtz
- Institute for Sexual and Gender Minority Health and Wellbeing, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
- Department of Communication Studies, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - David A Moskowitz
- Department of Medical Social Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 625 N. Michigan Avenue, Suite 1400, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
- Institute for Sexual and Gender Minority Health and Wellbeing, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Kathryn Macapagal
- Department of Medical Social Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 625 N. Michigan Avenue, Suite 1400, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA.
- Institute for Sexual and Gender Minority Health and Wellbeing, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA.
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA.
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Sarno EL, Bettin E, Jozsa K, Newcomb ME. Sexual Health of Rural and Urban Young Male Couples in the United States: Differences in HIV Testing, Pre-exposure Prophylaxis Use, and Condom Use. AIDS Behav 2021; 25:191-202. [PMID: 32607917 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-020-02961-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Young men who have sex with men (YMSM) are disproportionally affected by HIV, and main partnerships account for a large proportion of new HIV infections. HIV prevention is largely focused on urban YMSM, and less is known about sexual health of rural male couples. The present study used data from a randomized controlled trial of a relationship education and HIV prevention program for male couples to test associations of rurality with HIV/STI testing, PrEP use, number of sexual partners, and condomless anal sex (CAS) acts. Participants were 430 YMSM in relationships. Rural YMSM were less likely to have been tested for HIV/STIs, and to have used PrEP, compared to urban YMSM. Although higher rurality was associated with fewer CAS acts, CAS was not infrequent among rural YMSM, highlighting the need for increased HIV prevention geared toward young male couples living in rural, less resourced areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elissa L Sarno
- Institute for Sexual and Gender Minority Health and Wellbeing, Department of Medical Social Sciences, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA.
| | - Emily Bettin
- Institute for Sexual and Gender Minority Health and Wellbeing, Department of Medical Social Sciences, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Kyle Jozsa
- Institute for Sexual and Gender Minority Health and Wellbeing, Department of Medical Social Sciences, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Michael E Newcomb
- Institute for Sexual and Gender Minority Health and Wellbeing, Department of Medical Social Sciences, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
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Macapagal K, Kraus A, Korpak AK, Jozsa K, Moskowitz DA. PrEP Awareness, Uptake, Barriers, and Correlates Among Adolescents Assigned Male at Birth Who Have Sex with Males in the U.S. Arch Sex Behav 2020; 49:113-124. [PMID: 31602584 PMCID: PMC7263631 DOI: 10.1007/s10508-019-1429-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2018] [Revised: 02/20/2019] [Accepted: 02/21/2019] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
In May 2018, the US Food and Drug Administration approved daily oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for adolescents under age 18. Although this is an important step toward HIV prevention for adolescents assigned male at birth who have sex with males (AMSM), limited research exists to gauge their awareness of PrEP as a prevention option. Additionally, the attitudes and perceived barriers regarding PrEP among this population have not been well studied. We conducted an online survey from February to April 2018, in which 219 AMSM age 15-17 read a description of PrEP, and then answered questions about PrEP awareness, perceived barriers, and demographic and behavioral correlates. A slight majority (54.8%) had heard of PrEP before, and 56.1% did not know how they would access PrEP. Of those who had heard of PrEP, 2.5% had ever used it. Most had first learned about PrEP online, through media or geosocial networking (GSN) applications to meet male partners. Those who had heard of PrEP were more likely to be older, to have used GSN applications, and to have greater HIV knowledge. Not knowing how to access PrEP was predicted by having had more partners, lower HIV knowledge, and never having talked to a provider about PrEP. Believing that one could not afford PrEP was predicted by greater perceived risk of HIV. Findings suggest moderate awareness of PrEP among AMSM, that youth at greater risk of HIV may perceive greater barriers, and that online spaces can play a significant role in increasing PrEP knowledge and reducing implementation barriers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn Macapagal
- Department of Medical Social Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 625 N. Michigan Avenue, Suite 1400, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA.
- Institute for Sexual and Gender Minority Health and Wellbeing, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA.
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA.
| | - Ashley Kraus
- Department of Medical Social Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 625 N. Michigan Avenue, Suite 1400, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
- Institute for Sexual and Gender Minority Health and Wellbeing, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Aaron K Korpak
- Department of Medical Social Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 625 N. Michigan Avenue, Suite 1400, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
- Institute for Sexual and Gender Minority Health and Wellbeing, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Kyle Jozsa
- Department of Medical Social Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 625 N. Michigan Avenue, Suite 1400, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
- Institute for Sexual and Gender Minority Health and Wellbeing, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - David A Moskowitz
- Department of Medical Social Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 625 N. Michigan Avenue, Suite 1400, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
- Institute for Sexual and Gender Minority Health and Wellbeing, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
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