205683 Exploring social service agency resource delivery within the New York City House and Ball Community

Monday, November 9, 2009

Gabriel R. Galindo, DrPH, MPH, CHES , CAPS, UCSF, San Francisco, CA
Background: NYC surveillance data from 2006 revealed that MSM infected with HIV, and under the age of 20, were either Black or Latino. The House and Ball Community (HBC) is an underground population of young urban Black and Latino MSM. This study examined the context of service delivery, with a focus on HIV-positive members, for the HBC.

Methods: Using a stratified purposeful sampling approach, 20 one-on-one interviews were conducted with key informants, and snowball recruitment strategies were used to obtain the sample size. Participants varied in ages (range: 18 – 42), as well as ethnoracial identities, sexual orientations, HIV status, gender and levels of HBC involvement. Key informant interviews lasted 1-hour in length, and addressed areas of interest like HIV stigma, delivery of provider services, and availability of local health resources. Interviews were analyzed utilizing open and axial coding techniques.

Results: Findings suggest a phenomenon wherein large numbers of HBC members comprise the front-line staff of social service agencies in NYC. Participants indicated that having HBC members as staff promotes agency rapport with the community and empowers HBC members by supplying employment opportunities. However, all participants noted that confidentiality, especially in relation to HIV status, becomes comprised as lines of professionalism become blurred between provider and HBC membership. Findings also suggest that: (1) agencies may be unqualified to provide sexual health information for HBC members, (2) service providers would benefit by extending holistic approaches to HIV service delivery; and (3) agencies should place greater attention on treatment options, such as access to care and medication workshops, for HIV-positive members.

Conclusions: These results have important implications for both social service agencies and the HBC itself. Studies are needed to assess specific social service needs of the HBC, inclusive of HIV and sociocultural resources relating to leadership, job placement and community development.

Learning Objectives:
1. Define the House and Ball Community (HBC) in New York City. 2. Identify the social service agency gaps in resource delivery to the HBC. 3. Describe the types of resources agencies should deliver to impact the sexual health needs (HIV, in particular) among the HBC.

Keywords: Health Care Delivery, HIV/AIDS

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: EDUCATION 2003 – Present Columbia University, Mailman School of Public Health Doctor of Public Health (All But Dissertation), expected May 2009. Department of Sociomedical Sciences. Dissertation title: Exploring HIV-related stigma within New York City’s House and Ball Community. 2001 – 2003 San Diego State University, Graduate School of Public Health Master of Public Health. Division of Health Promotion and Behavioral Sciences. Thesis title: Self-reported skin type and colorimeter measured skin color in an ethnoracially diverse sample. 1997 – 2001 University of California at Berkeley, College of Letters and Science Bachelor of Arts. Ethnic Studies Department. Concentrations in Chicano/ Latino and African American Studies. 3.8 grade point average in the major. PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE March 2008 – October 2008 New York, NY New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. Associate Staff Analyst. Served as the Qualitative Research and Health Education Specialist for the Antibiotic Resistance Unit of the Bureau of Communicable Diseases. Conducted focus group, in-depth and key informant interviews surrounding staph infections among men who have sex with men. Created and maintained qualitative and quantitative data management systems. Trained and supervised support staff in field recruitment and data collection procedures. Worked with Office of School Health to create appropriate hand hygiene curriculums for K-5 grades. Developed community based social marketing materials and created distribution strategies. June 2005 – January 2008 New York, NY Gay Men’s Health Crisis, Inc. Coordinator of Youth and Young Adult Initiatives. Directly supervised 6 staff members. Managed youth specific contracts and budgets for agency. Maintained accurate records and reporting protocols of youth activities and programs. Designed and implemented HIV messaging and curricula for youth populations. Organized annual prevention ball for 2,500+ youth. Worked with other social service agencies to collaborative on youth development and professionalization initiatives. August 2003 – June 2004; August 2004 – January 2005 New York, NY Columbia University, Mailman School of Public Health. Graduate Research Assistant. Researched and reviewed articles for project study investigating stress and identity in minority populations. Cleaned, coded and analyzed data utilizing both qualitative and quantitative methodologies. Developed project materials. Outreached, screened and recruited participants. Conducted formal interviews and developed data collection tools as necessary. June 2004 – August 2004 New York, NY New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. Health Research Training Program Intern. Administered surveys for the Bureau of STD Control, Division of Disease Control. Utilized a standardized instrument to assess the health literacy of the population at the Morrisania clinic in Bronx, NY. Summarized key findings and presented data to project investigators. January 2002 – August 2003 San Diego, CA San Diego State University Foundation. Graduate Researcher. Facilitated focus groups and conducted intercept interviews surrounding sun safety for United States Postal Service letter carriers. Administered self-reported questionnaires to letter carriers, took colorimeter measurements and delivered health education stand-up presentations. Co-authored article reviews and manuscripts in conjunction with Principle Investigator. Created promotional items for study participants. August 2002 – August 2003 San Diego, CA San Diego State University Institute for Public Health. Program Evaluator. Served as main evaluation specialist for a CDC-sponsored HIV intervention initiative for young men who have sex with men of color. Conducted formative evaluation, established standardized forms, and developed measurement and quality control protocols for intervention collaborative site partners. Translated vital documents and instruments (English – Spanish) for various partner programs. Analyzed and interpreted data results of needs assessment and summarized findings to project investigators and community partners. Created workplans and service target grids for collaborative liaisons. January 2002 – August 2002 San Diego, CA The Hillcrest Youth Center of the San Diego LGBT Community Center. Senior Health Educator. Was the sole health educator working for a CDC-funded program geared at decreasing HIV transmission among young men who have sex with men. Formulated HIV and STD curriculum for youth ages 14-24. Administered intensive health education and risk reduction seminars. Participated in aggressive HIV prevention street outreach campaigns. Supervised volunteer pool and coordinated schedules. Created and maintained partnerships with local community organizations. Served as prevention case manager for high-risk youth.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

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