NCT04779736

Mitigating Sexual Stigma Within Healthcare Interactions Improve Engagement of MSM in HIV Prevention

Mitigating Sexual Stigma Within Healthcare Interactions to Improve Engagement of MSM in HIV Prevention

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 113 (actual)
• Sponsor: Albert Einstein College of Medicine · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

The purpose of this study is to explore drivers and mitigators of anal sex stigma in healthcare, and then to develop and pilot an intervention for health workers that mitigates the deterrent effects of this stigma on the engagement of gay and bisexual men in HIV-related services.

Detailed description

This 5-year study aims to understand determinants that perpetuate and mitigate stigma toward anal sex during healthcare encounters, in order to develop and pilot a strategy that responds to these determinants and thereby improves the quality of care and HIV service engagement among men who have sex with men (MSM). The study team collected data during in-depth interviews with 20 adult MSM as well as 20 adult healthcare workers (HCWs) to identify strategies that could be readily used in health services to reduce stigma. Analysis of this data then informed consultation with an advisory board of HCWs and healthcare consumers (not limited to MSM), to develop the content of a set of implementation strategies to mitigate stigma and thereby improve health service delivery. Evaluation of a set of implementation strategies was performed in the Southern US, a high incidence region, by pilot testing with 65 adult HCWs who in clinical sites where MSM are under-engaged in HIV services.

Conditions

• Human Immunodeficiency Virus
• Stigma, Social
• Patient Engagement

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	A set of implementation strategies to reduce sexual stigma	The set of implementation strategies was finalized based on formative interviews and consultation with an advisory board. This included an in-person workshop for skills development, environmental restructuring through a website of information resources for healthcare consumers and HCWs, and supportive coaching components (i.e., coaching calls, an optional email listserve) and quality improvement meetings with two clinics to encourage and respond to the implementation of recommended practices.

Timeline

• Start date: 2021-08-23
• Primary completion: 2024-09-30
• Completion: 2025-01-31
• First posted: 2021-03-03
• Last updated: 2025-05-29

Locations

1 site across 1 country: United States