Integrating the social network strategy for HIV testing at a CBO targeting African American men who have sex with men (AA MSM): Lessons learned and recommendations for use

Issues: In the US, African American men who have sex with men (AA MSM) are disproportionately affected by HIV. Improving knowledge of HIV status is an important prevention strategy to improve health outcomes and decrease risk of secondary transmission. Use of social network strategy (SN) in HIV testing has shown promise for identifying previously undiagnosed HIV+ persons. This presentation highlights lessons learned in the implementation of SN into a community-based organization (CBO) in Washington, D.C. targeting AA MSM. Descriptions: The SN strategy was adapted for AA MSM and integrated into an existing testing program that included alternate venue testing (AVT) and standard counseling and referral services. In SN, HIV+ or high-risk negative persons are enlisted as recruiters to identify others in their social networks (network associates) for referral to HIV testing. These network associates are asked to identify other at-risk persons. An innovative system was created for linking and tracking recruiters and their associates. Initial staff training was followed by ongoing technical assistance. To date, 24 recruiters were enlisted and referred 146 AA MSM for testing; 14 (10%) were identified as new HIV+. Lessons Learned: Successful implementation of the SN required adaptation and innovation with ongoing training and agency support. Recommendations: To develop strategies that are not only effective but can be successfully implemented in community-based practice, prevention researchers and services providers must collaborate to preserve the main content of a promising approach while adapting it to the needs of the clients, community and organization.