Positive and Proactive:Implementing empowerment based programming to engage Urban Young Men who have Sex with Men of color (UYMSMC) in HIV primary care settings

Key Issue: Risk reduction interventions targeting urban HIV positive UYMSMC are often brief (less than 6 weeks) and are facilitated outside of HIV primary medical care facilities. Although these interventions address risky sexual behavior among this population, UYMSMC remain disengaged in medical care and represent a significant portion of people living with HIV and AIDS in the metropolitan Philadelphia area. Lack of long-term programming and limited attention to group programming in HIV care practices result in HIV/AIDS medical practices being unsure of how to retain and engage this hard to reach population in medical care.

Key Points: The Facilitator will present and discuss with the group a pilot program, SWEAT (Sexuality With Education And Truth) conducted in a Pediatric HIV/AIDS practice in Philadelphia. SWEAT is a three-pronged approach to engaging UYMSMC who were identified as lost to HIV care and/or newly diagnosed with HIV. The SWEAT program includes continuous long-term programming: a group level intervention, street team leadership development program and a men's health seminar series. Topics in this discussion will include: 1) exiting programs targeting HIV positive UYMSMC; 2) Responses of UYMSMC from focus group and initial cohort of SWEAT; 3) Responses from staff regarding how programming has increased CQI initiatives; 4) a summary of key process objectives to consider when implementing programming like this in clinical practices.

Implications: Implementing long-term empowerment based leadership development programming in HIV medical practices can garner positive health outcomes among this hard to reach population: increased adherence to ART medications, decreased STI acquisition and successful transition to adult care. Programming such as this is highly beneficial to consumers because it provides them with professional and leadership development opportunities, normalizes the use primary/preventive medical services and offers additional reasons to seek and maintain treatment at their HIV primary care program.