 | The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
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| The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
Anthony J. Silvestre, PhD, LSW, Scott McCauley, BA, Marcy Holloway, PAC, and Charles Rinaldo, PhD. Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, 3520 Fifth Avenue, Suite 400, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, 412.624.5080, tonys@pitt.edu
Problem: Data from African American MSM (AAMSM) are needed for medical, epidemiological, and prevention research. Because of the stigma facing MSM, lack of researcher expertise, institutional neglect, and other factors, these men are reluctant to join HIV MSM studies.
Method: Social marketing, community organizing and ‘Brokering’ techniques were used to recruit these men into an epidemiological study in a county with an African American male population of 7%. A costs/benefits analysis was done to develop products such as personalized health information, an opportunity to be altruistic, free meeting space, and material support of other AAMSM programs. Community consultants were hired and study staff trained on cultural competence. The recruitment program was implemented at the Community, Group, and Individual levels. The one year campaign (‘Each one, Teach one) was constructed and implemented with AAMSM community representatives.
Results: Successful recruitment activities included direct targeting of the AAMSM community using advertising, networking, gatekeepers, tables at events, home parties, public endorsements from key informal leaders, emails, free physicals and screening, incentives, and an off-site clinic. Unsuccessful activities included outreach through the traditional LGBT and the African American communities. The study successfully recruited more than 225 MSM, 51% of whom were African American.
Conclusions: AAMSM are as likely to join studies as other MSM once barriers to their participation are identified and access facilitated. Public health and ethical issues related to recruiting stigmatized men who live with severe health disparities need to be considered.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Gay Men, HIV Interventions
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.